_{All Photos: Courtesy of Kodao Productions}

Today, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) greets Mary Jane Veloso on her 40th birthday, a milestone in a life marked by 14 years of profound injustice and unimaginable resilience. Mary Jane’s journey stands as both a testament to her strength and a searing indictment of the systemic failures that led to her plight.

Mary Jane was duped into unknowingly transporting illegal drugs and sentenced to death in Indonesia. For nearly a decade and a half, she lived under the shadow of execution—separated from her family and forced to bear the consequences of her exploitation. Her plight has become a powerful symbol of the struggles faced by countless overseas Filipino workers who are preyed upon and abandoned in their darkest moments.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of her family, advocates, and people’s organizations, Mary Jane was spared execution at the eleventh hour in 2015. However, her suffering is far from over. Despite her return to the Philippines under a bilateral agreement with Indonesia, she remains imprisoned.

But survival is not enough. Mary Jane deserves more than just being alive—she deserves justice, freedom, and the chance to rebuild her life with dignity.

On this special day, we renew our urgent call for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant Mary Jane Veloso an absolute pardon. This is not only a gesture of compassion but also a powerful stand against human trafficking and the exploitation of migrant workers.

We stand with Mary Jane and her family on this important day, honoring her indomitable spirit and relentless hope. Her story reminds us all of the deep injustices that persist and the collective struggle needed to overcome them. Let her 40th year mark the end of her suffering and the start of her freedom. #

#AbsolutePardonForMaryJane
#ClemencyForMaryJane
#JusticeForMaryJane

Reference:
Atty. Josalee S. Deinla
NUPL Secretary General
+639174316396