Case of convicted Pinay endorsed to Indonesia’s SC

MANILA, Philippines - The case of a Filipina worker sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug smuggling reached the “final battleground” after it was endorsed to the Supreme Court of Indonesia for judicial review last Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

DFA spokesman Charles Jose said the District Court of Yogyakarta conducted hearings on Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso’s case for two days, ending the second hearing on March 4.

“The court decided to endorse the case to the Supreme Court in Jakarta to proceed with the judicial review. We are waiting for the schedule of hearing in the Supreme Court,” he said.

He also said that there will be no execution until the judicial review has been completed and as long as the case is still being heard. Veloso is not among the foreigners transferred to Nusakambangan Island, the execution site.

Veloso is a 30-year-old single mother and informal worker who left the Philippines for Kuala Lumpur in 2010.

She was arrested at the Yogyakarta Airport on April 25, 2010 for possession of 2.6 kilograms of heroin. She said she was asked by a friend to bring suitcases to Indonesia, but she was not aware that the suitcases contained illegal drugs.

The defense panel questioned the translator during the court hearing. The defense presented arguments and witnesses including the adviser of Veloso and the principal of the school where the translator studied.

“We were saying during that time the case was heard at the trial court the translator was only a student,” Jose said. “The translator may not be qualified, so that will have an impact on the proceedings that happened before like accuracy of translation.”