After more than 16 years in detention, Mary Jane Veloso is finally free after she was granted an absolute pardon by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Veloso walked out of the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City on Friday, September 25, following her release from government custody.
Speaking to the media during a Thanksgiving Mass and press conference at the Siena College Chapel in Quezon City on Saturday, Sept. 26, Veloso shared her reaction upon learning that she would finally be released.
“Hindi ako nakatulog mula no’ng nalaman ko po ’yon, hindi ako nakakain. Para pong busog na busog ako,” Veloso said.
Veloso said she is looking forward to returning to Nueva Ecija and spending time with her family.
She also expressed gratitude to God, her family, Marcos, and the groups and individuals who supported her throughout her case. Veloso also thanked Gabriela party-list Representative Sarah Elago for supporting her while she was in detention.
“Maraming salamat po talaga sa lahat ng sumusuporta, sa mga naniniwala na wala akong kasalanan. Syempre kay President Marcos Jr. para pirmahan ang aking absolute pardon po at sa lahat po ng naging daan kasama po ni [Gabriela] Cong. Sarah [Elago],” she said.
“Alam po nilang lahat na galing po sa puso na talaga nagpapasalamat po ako ng buong puso sa kanilang lahat na naging parte na po ng aking buhay,” she added.
Reflecting on her years behind bars, Veloso said her imprisonment kept her away from her children as they grew up.
“Sa 17 years na naging laban ko po sa buhay, marami po ako natutunan. Nalayo ako sa mga anak ko, hindi ko sila nakita lumaki,” she said.
Veloso also thanked her parents for continuously supporting her despite the difficulties of visiting her in prison.
Mary Jane said she hopes her experience will inspire others who are facing difficult circumstances.
“Siguro sa kwento ng buhay ko sana sa mga nakakarinig maging inspirasyon para maging matatag din sila. Huwag silang mawalan ng pag-asa,” she said.
She was arrested in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 2010 after authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage. She was subsequently convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to death.
Veloso was scheduled to be executed by firing squad in April 2015 but was granted a last-minute reprieve after the Philippine government appealed to Indonesian authorities to spare her life.
After years of diplomatic negotiations, Indonesia transferred her to Philippine custody in December 2024. She was then detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City to serve the remainder of her sentence.
Marcos signed Veloso’s absolute pardon on September 24, which he confirmed the following day during a visit to Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
