PRESS RELEASE
8 May 2026
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), through its Women and Children Committee headed by Atty. Katherine A. Panguban, filed today a Motion to Resolve urging the Supreme Court to act on the Petition for Habeas Corpus filed on behalf of Mary Jane Veloso on 14 November 2025.
The petition seeks judicial review of the legal basis for Veloso’s continued detention following her return to the Philippines.
As stated in the Petition, it is the position of Mary Jane Veloso that her continued incarceration at the Correctional Institute for Women, despite the absence of any judgment, treaty, or legislative authority in the Philippines expressly supporting the continued enforcement of Indonesia’s penal judgment, violates her fundamental rights. The Petition further argues that, as a recognized victim of trafficking, her continued deprivation of liberty constitutes an injustice that must be addressed without delay.
In a handwritten letter addressed to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and attached to the Motion, Mary Jane Veloso stated that her prison record at the Correctional Institution for Women reflects a sentence of reclusion perpetua, which she believes has no legal basis.
“Lubos ang aking paniniwala na walang legal na batayan na ako ay manatiling nakapiit lalo na sa ilalim ng sentensyang reclusion perpetua. Aking napag-alaman na ito ang hatol na nakasaad sa aking carpeta dito sa CIW.”
(“I firmly believe there is no legal basis for my continued detention, especially under the sentence of reclusion perpetua. I have learned that this is the judgment stated in my prison record here at the CIW.”)
The Petition raises important questions concerning the right to liberty, due process, and the protection of trafficked persons under domestic and international law.
“Mary Jane’s letter is a deeply human appeal for justice,” Panguban said. “The writ of habeas corpus exists precisely to allow the courts to examine whether a person’s detention continues to have sufficient legal basis. We respectfully urge the Supreme Court to resolve the petition at the soonest possible time.”
In the same letter, Veloso also appealed to the Court as a mother who has spent years separated from her children:
“Ako po ay lumalapit sa inyo bilang isang taong umaasa sa katarungan at sa malasakit ng ating Kataas-Taasang Hukuman at bilang isang inang matagal nang nawalay sa kanyang mga anak. Sa darating na Mother’s Day ngayong Mayo 10 ay ika-17 beses na akong mawawala sa piling ng aking dalawang anak. Ganito na katagal silang walang nanay na gumagabay at kumakalinga sa kanila.”
(“I come before you as someone hoping for justice and compassion from our Supreme Court, and as a mother who has long been separated from her children. This coming Mother’s Day on May 10 will mark the 17th time I will be away from my two children. For that long, they have been without a mother to guide and care for them.”)
Panguban also emphasized the personal toll of Veloso’s prolonged detention.
“Behind every legal proceeding is a family waiting for resolution,” she said. “Mary Jane is a mother who has spent seventeen long years separated from her children. We hope that her petition will be given the urgent attention that cases involving trafficking victims deserve.” ###
Reference:
Atty. Katherine A. Panguban
NUPL Committee on Women and Children Head
+639566730301
