Mary Jane Veloso reunites with family after being freed from prison
Former overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso had an emotional reunion with her family early Saturday after being freed from prison.
Mary Jane's family members were fetched from Nueva Ecija and brought to Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City to meet her.
Seen on board the coaster upon arrival at CIW were Mary Jane's parents Caesar and Celia Veloso, and her children, according to a report by Gabriel Gonzales of GMA News.
Dumating na sa Correctional Institution for Women ang pamilya ni Mary Jane Veloso para siyaβy sunduin matapos siyang makalaya ngayong araw.Namataang sakay ng coaster ang mga magulang at mga anak ni Mary Jane. | via @GabGonzales42Bisitahin ang https://t.co/zqM6aTde5w para saβ¦ pic.twitter.com/2HL8OBIUAv
Mary Jane, wearing a white T-shirt and pants and with her hair in a ponytail, was already at the CIW gate with Bureau of Corrections personnel when her family arrived, as seen in a video taken by Olan Bola of Super Radyo dzBB.
JUST IN: Mga kaanak ni Mary Jane Veloso, dumating na sa Correctional Institution for Women sa Mandaluyong City mula Nueva Ecija para siya ay sunduin, matapos makalaya makaraang bigyan ng absolute pardon ni Pres. Bongbong Marcos. | via @olanbola pic.twitter.com/pu29WFPovK
Mary Jane's parents cried upon meeting her at CIW, according to a report by Jamie Santos of GMA News.
In the coaster with her parents, Mary Jane said she could not believe that she was freed after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. granted her absolute pardon.
"Ako rin, hindi makapaniwala. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Pero mabait ang Lord. Mabait ang Panginoon," Mary Jane said while hugging and kissing her mother Celia.
(Me too, I can't believe it. I can't believe it. I can't believe it. But the Lord is kind. God is good.)
"'Di ako makapaniwala talaga, anak. Dito ka na sa tabi ko ngayon," Celia said.
(I still can't believe it, my daughter. You are beside me now.)
"Sumasakit ulo ko, 'Nay. 'Wag ka umiyak," Mary Jane said.
(My head is aching, Mother. Don't cry.)
"Ako na mag-aalaga sa 'yo ngayon. Masakit ang ulo mo," her mother said.
(I'll be the one to take care of you now. Your head is aching.)
"Hindi, ako nga mag-aalaga sa inyo eh. Kaya nga ako umuwi eh," Mary Jane said.
(No, I'll be the one to take care of you. That's why I went home.)
"Eh ako, ala nang sakit. Ikaw, masakit ang ulo mo. Alagaan kita," Celia said.
(But I don't have any illness anymore. You have a headache. I'll take care of you.)
"'Pag nakakain na ako ng ano, ng bituka ng manok. Ihaw-ihaw," Mary Jane laughed.
(After I eat chicken intestines. Grilled.)
"Oo, pagluluto kita," her mother said.
Marcos on Friday said he already signed on Thursday the document which says he is granting Mary Jane absolute pardon, paving the way for her release from Philippine prison after once languishing on death row in Indonesia over drug charges.
Mary Jane was arrested on April 25, 2010, at Adisutjipto International Airport in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, after authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage. She was sentenced to death by an Indonesian court on October 11, 2010.
She has consistently maintained her innocence, saying she was unknowingly used as a drug courier after being given a suitcase by her recruiters.
Her execution was halted in April 2015 after the Philippine government appealed to Indonesian authorities to allow her to testify against her alleged recruiters.
In December 2024, Indonesia agreed to transfer Mary Jane to Philippine custody following years of diplomatic negotiations. She arrived in the Philippines on December 18, 2024, and was transferred to CIW to serve the remainder of her sentence under Philippine jurisdiction.
Mary Jane was formally released from CIW on Friday after the necessary procedures were completed. βKG, GMA News
