President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has granted an absolute pardon to Mary Jane Veloso, paving the way for her release after more than 15 years in detention.

Marcos confirmed on Friday, Sept. 25 that he signed the pardon on Thursday, September 24.

“Pinirmahan ko na… pinirmahan ko na ‘yung pardon niya kahapon,” Marcos said in an ambush interview.

The confirmation came a day after Malacañang said it was “seriously considering” granting Veloso an absolute pardon on humanitarian grounds. Bataan 2nd District Representative Albert Garcia earlier disclosed the development during deliberations on the proposed 2027 budget of the Office of the President (OP).

Veloso, a victim of human trafficking, was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 after authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin concealed in her suitcase. She was subsequently convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to death, but her execution was halted at the last minute in 2015 after then-President Benigno Aquino III appealed to his Indonesian counterpart, then-President Joko Widodo, to allow her to testify in a human trafficking case involving her alleged recruiters.

She remained in Indonesian custody for nearly 15 years before being repatriated to the Philippines in December 2024 under a bilateral agreement between Manila and Jakarta.

Veloso was transferred to the Philippines in December 2024 following a bilateral agreement between Manila and Jakarta.

She has since been detained at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.