27 March 2015 – The initial appeal for judicial review of the case of Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso was denied by the Indonesian Supreme Court.

It may be recalled that the petition for judicial review was initiated by the Philippine Government early this year after being informed that Indonesian President Joko Widodo rejected the appeal for clemency made by President Benigno S. Aquino III through a letter dated 23 August 2011. Indonesian law allows a judicial review of all death penalty cases. The Sleman District Court endorsed the case files to the Supreme Court following two hearings on the petition held on March 3 and 4.

From the time of Ms. Veloso’s arrest in April 2010, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta and the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA), has been actively monitoring the case and extending all necessary assistance to Ms. Veloso and her family. This includes hiring the services of a private lawyer to help Ms. Veloso to pursue a legal review of her case.

The DFA, in coordination with Indonesian authorities, arranged for Ms. Veloso’s family to visit her in prison from February 19 to 21. The DFA remains in close contact with Ms. Veloso’s family to keep them updated of developments.

On March 24, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario made a humanitarian visit to Ms. Veloso at the Yogyakarta Penitentiary to check on her condition and to personally offer comfort and reassure her of the Philippine Government’s continued support.

In response to the recent decision of the Indonesian Supreme Court, Secretary Del Rosario reiterates, “We will continue to exhaust all possible diplomatic and legal means to save Mary Jane’s life. We wish to assure her family that the Philippine Government is giving its full attention to this case and that it stands ready to provide them with all the assistance they may require.” END