JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – The Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections (Kumham Imipas) of Indonesia, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, recently shared that the President of the Philippines has yet to decide on the legal status of Mary Jane Veloso, who was transferred from Indonesia.

Mary Jane Veloso, a convicted drug smuggler, is awaiting a decision regarding her sentence after being moved back to the Philippines in January 2025. As of now, the Philippine government has not issued a ruling on her case.

Yusril explained that the current process in the Philippines involves a mandatory 60-day period for any returned prisoner to be placed in detention before a decision can be made by the President. He clarified that the President would only be able to make a final decision on Veloso’s status after this waiting period ends. The legal process in the Philippines requires this time for review and deliberation.

Mary Jane Veloso was originally sentenced to death in Indonesia in 2010 for attempting to smuggle 2.6 kilograms of heroin into the country. However, the Philippines had previously stopped recognizing the death penalty, raising speculation that her sentence could be changed to life imprisonment after her transfer back to the Philippines.

The Indonesian government continues to receive regular updates from the Philippine authorities on Veloso’s condition. At present, she is being held at the Mandaluyong Prison in Manila. This ongoing communication ensures that the Indonesian government is kept informed of her situation as the legal process unfolds in the Philippines.

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