Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday lauded President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s diplomatic efforts for securing the return of Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina worker who spent 14 years on Indonesia’s death row.
“I commend President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his resolute leadership and compassionate heart in bringing Mary Jane home. This achievement highlights the President’s firm commitment to protecting and upholding the rights of our overseas Filipino workers, even in the most difficult of circumstances,” Romualdez said in a statement.
“His determination to engage in meaningful diplomacy reflects the government’s priority to put our people’s welfare above all else.”
Romualdez likewise cited the tireless efforts of Veloso’s family and other advocates who worked tirelessly to help save her life.
He described Veloso’s return as a “triumph of hope, diplomacy, and justice.”
“Her case symbolizes the enduring struggle of many Filipinos abroad who are driven by the desire to uplift their families, only to face extraordinary challenges,” Romualdez said.
He underscored the President’s direct involvement in the process, crediting him with securing Veloso’s release from what seemed an impossible situation.
During the 42nd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Indonesia in May 2023, President Marcos emphasized the Philippine government had consistently appealed to Indonesia for Veloso’s pardon, commutation of sentence, and extradition so she could serve her sentence in the Philippines.
Romualdez also extended his gratitude to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government for their compassion.
“This act of compassion strengthens the bonds of friendship between our two nations, built on mutual respect and shared values of justice and humanity,” he said.
Romualdez called for systemic reforms to safeguard overseas Filipino workers from exploitation by unscrupulous recruiters and criminal syndicates.
Moment of relief
House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs chair and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said Veloso’s return is the result of “tireless efforts and dedicated leadership” of President Marcos and the partnership with President Prabowo, which he called an example of international collaboration in the pursuit of justice.
Acidre described it as a “moment of relief” after years of uncertainty.
“As Chairperson of the House Committee on Overseas Worker Affairs, I join the nation in celebrating the return of Mary Jane Veloso to the Philippines after more than a decade of uncertainty on death row in Indonesia. Her homecoming is the result of relentless efforts by her family, advocates, and the Philippine government, under the leadership of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.,” Acidre said.
OFW Party-list Representative Marissa Magsino hailed the development as a triumph of diplomacy, expressing her gratitude to both President Marcos and President Prabowo for their roles in facilitating Veloso’s return.
“Buong pusong kagalakan at pasasalamat ang aming nararamdaman… sa napipintong pagbabalik ni Mary Jane Veloso sa ating bansa,” Magsino said in a statement.
The transfer, facilitated through years of bilateral discussions, gives Veloso a chance to serve her sentence closer to her family and offers hope for her reintegration into Philippine society, Magsino said.
“Si Mary Jane ay simbolo ng maraming Pilipino na naging biktima ng human trafficking at ilegal na gawain, ngunit nananatiling matatag sa paghahanap ng katarungan at pag-asa,” Magsino said.
Magsino, also the president of the Anti-Trafficking OFW Movement (ATOM), stressed the need for stricter measures to protect Filipino workers abroad.
“Kailangang paigtingin ang kampanya laban sa human trafficking upang hindi na maulit ang ganitong trahedya (We need to strengthen the campaign against human trafficking to prevent such tragedies from happening again),” she said.
