Mary Jane Veloso's lawyer is preparing to file a motion with the Supreme Court to prompt a resolution on her habeas corpus petition, which has been pending for nearly six months.
Edre Olalia, president of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), expressed frustration over the delays. He emphasized the urgency for the Supreme Court to act on the petition filed in November of last year.
Veloso remains incarcerated at the Correctional Institution for Women after her repatriation from Indonesia on humanitarian grounds in December 2024. She was initially sentenced to death in 2010 but received a reprieve in 2015.
The Legal Battle Continues
Olalia stated, "We are thinking of filing a motion for resolution because this is taking too long already." Veloso's legal team is advocating for her release based on claims that Philippine authorities lack jurisdiction over a foreign penal judgment.
Keeping her in custody is a direct breach of both international and domestic law.
Edre Olalia
Alongside her habeas corpus petition, Veloso is set to testify against her recruiters in a case for qualified human trafficking and illegal recruitment, which has faced significant delays.
In 2020, her recruiters were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for violating the Migrant Workers Act. Veloso's case remains a critical focus for her legal team as they strive for justice.