MANILA, Philippines — One of the lawyers of Mary Jane Veloso said the current administration’s response to her case was faster than the previous administration.
In a televised phone interview with TV5, Veloso’s lawyer, Josalee Deinla, said former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III took years before he was able to take action into the case of Veloso who was convicted for her alleged drug trafficking. Deinla also lauded the current administration’s effort to settle with Indonesia and have Veloso testify for her standing case in the Philippines.
“Sa ngayon, nakikita namin na immediate ‘yung response ng pangulo (Rodrigo Duterte) sa kaso ni Mary Jane hindi kagaya noon na it took several years bago i-pick up i-discuss with the counterpart head of state ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino at nakita rin natin na nagkaroon ng kapabayaan dun sa pagbibigay tulong legal kay Mary Jane,” Deinla said when asked to compare the previous and current administration’s action regarding Veloso’s case.
“So far naman dito sa current administration, nakita natin ‘yung efforts nung technical working group na binubuo ng iba’t-ibang officials from different agencies of government para makipag-ayos sa Indonesia at pag-usapan kung paano makakapagbigay ng testimonya si Mary Jane dito sa kaso niya sa Pilipinas,” the legal counsel added.
Deinla said Veloso’s recorded message for Duterte reached the president that is why he called for the petition to discuss the convict’s case with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Duterte is scheduled to visit Indonesia on Sept. 8 to 9 and is eyeing to visit Veloso.
Duterte then expressed hope to do something for Veloso during his visit. Deinla said the pronouncement of the president sparked hope for the Veloso family. The family reportedly went to Malacañan to reach out and ask for the president’s help prior to his departure for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Laos.
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Veloso’s legal counsel is also hopeful that the upcoming visit of Duterte in Indonesia and meeting with Widodo will help Veloso’s case. She said their camp foresees divergence as Veloso is considered a drug offender in Indonesia but a victim in the Philippines. The two heads of state, however, also have a common ground of fighting illegal drugs.
“Very hopeful kami na magiging productive yung pakikipag-usap. Ang inaasahan namin diyan sa umpisa ay magkakaroon sila (Duterte at Widodo) ng mga discussion sa kanilang point of unity. Nangunguna diyan yung kanilang common na maigting na kampanya laban sa droga,” Deinla said.
Veloso was sentenced to death in Indonesia for trafficking 2.6 kilos of heroin in 2010. On April 29, 2015, Veloso was granted a last-minute reprieve following reports that her alleged recruiters surrendered to police authorities.
Last April 9, 2015, Aquino personally appealed to spare the life of Veloso.