THE Department of Justice (DOJ) opposes granting Mary Jane Veloso a pardon or executive clemency immediately upon her return to the Philippines.
DOJ Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez warned that such a move would be detrimental as it could damage the Philippines’ relations with other countries.
Vasquez emphasized that the country should respect the Indonesian court’s ruling.
He said that the Philippines would be viewed negatively by United Nations member states if it fails to comply with the agreement with Indonesia to make a humanitarian gesture.
Vasquez pointed out that Indonesia agreed to return Veloso to the Philippines despite the absence of a treaty between the two countries regarding the transfer of prisoners.
He said Indonesia did this because of the depth and breadth of the good relationship with the Philippines.
He said the Philippines is obligated to recognize and follow the agreed conditions, particularly her serving her sentence in the country after being acquitted of the death penalty in Indonesia, which is prohibited by Philippine law.
The DOJ previously stated that Veloso’s sentence would be “life imprisonment” because Philippine law does not allow the imposition of the death penalty on anyone.
