Press release | Migrante International | November 14, 2025
Supporters of Mary Jane Veloso submitted to the Supreme Court on Friday a habeas corpus petition demanding the court review the legality of Veloso’s detention in the Philippines.
The petition, signed by her family and legal counsel from the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, asserts that Veloso’s continued confinement is unlawful as she is not convicted under Philippine law. OFW group Migrante International was also present to support the filing of the writ of habeas corpus for Veloso.
“There is neither legal nor political basis for Mary Jane’s continued detention in the Philippines. She does not deserve to suffer behind bars not only because she is not a criminal under our legal system, but because Mary Jane is a victim of trafficking,” said Joanna Concepcion, chairperson of Migrante International.
Supporters of Veloso who filed the petition slammed the inaction on the part of the Marcos administration in the face of calls for clemency since the trafficking victim was transferred into Philippine custody last December 18.
“Bongbong Marcos is unjustly and deliberately prolonging Mary Jane’s detention. The Indonesian government has long ago passed on to him the responsibility of clemency, yet after her transfer, nothing has come beyond vague promises to review her case,” said Concepcion.
Migrante also expressed frustration with the slow justice process and the lack of political will to free Mary Jane. The OFW group compared Veloso to the country’s 700 political prisoners, all languishing while corruption scandals in the country remain unresolved.
“Our justice system punishes the poor for standing up for themselves. Others like Mary Jane are punished even before they can speak out. Meanwhile, corrupt government officials remain free to plunder our people and keep more Mary Janes in poverty. If we want justice for Mary Jane, it means setting her free and jailing the corrupt in her place.”–Joanna Concepcion
Undeterred by her prolonged and unjust detention under the Marcos Jr. regime, supporters of Veloso continue raising the demands of OFWs and the international community for Mary Jane’s immediate freedom.
