MANILA —  The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), together with the parents of Mary Jane Veloso, filed a Motion to Resolve before the Supreme Court today, May 8, urging the higher court to act on the petition filed in Veloso’s behalf last November 2025.

The petition for a writ of habeas corpus questioned Veloso’s continued detention despite surviving a near-execution and spending nearly 15 years in prison in Indonesia before being transferred to the Philippines on December 18, 2024.

According to NUPL, the petition “seeks nothing less” than the full constitutional protection guaranteed to every person in the country, particularly the right against deprivation of liberty without due process of law.

The petition argued that the Philippine government has no legal authority to continue enforcing a foreign criminal judgment in the absence of a treaty on the transfer of sentenced prisoners. It also pointed out that Veloso’s continued detention at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) constitutes an injustice, given that she has long been recognized as a victim of human trafficking.

In a handwritten letter addressed to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and attached to the motion, Veloso said records at the CIW indicate that she is serving a sentence of reclusion perpetua despite the absence of any legal basis for such classification.

“I firmly believe there is no legal basis for my continued detention, especially under the sentence of reclusion perpetua. I have learned that this is the judgment stated in my prison record here at the CIW,” Veloso said.

Veloso also lamented that this coming Mother’s Day would mark the 17th time she would spend the occasion away from her two children.

“I come before you as someone hoping for justice and compassion from our Supreme Court, and as a mother who has long been separated from her children,” she added.

“Mary Jane’s letter is a deeply human appeal for justice,” said NUPL’s Committee on Women and Children Head, Katherine Panguban.

“The writ of habeas corpus exists precisely to allow the courts to examine whether a person’s detention continues to have sufficient legal basis. We respectfully urge the Supreme Court to resolve the petition at the soonest possible time,” Panguban said.

She added that they hope the petition would be given the urgent attention that cases involving trafficking victims deserve.

According to her lawyers, Veloso is expected to testify soon against her former recruiters. It would be the first time she will testify in a Philippine court since returning to the country in December 2024.

No trial date has been set so far, but Veloso’s family and supporters said they remain hopeful that clemency will eventually be granted. (AMU, RTS)

The post Lawyers, parents of Mary Jane Veloso urge SC to act on habeas corpus petition appeared first on Bulatlat.

From Bulatlat via This RSS Feed.