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Friday, March 29, 2024

Binay still hopes Veloso will be spared

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VICE President Jejomar Binay on Thursday expressed hope Mary Jane Veloso would be spared the death penalty after he relayed to Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla his appeal to commute Veloso’s sentence on the sidelines of their bilateral meeting in Jakarta.

Binay, who is in Indonesia to attend the Asian-African Summit in Bandung, reiterated the Philippine government’s respect for Indonesian laws as he maintained that Veloso was not part of any drug syndicate, and that it was her first time to go to Indonesia.

Appeal. Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kaila listens as Vice President
Jejomar Binay relays his appeal to spare the life of convicted drug
courier Mary Jane Veloso in Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon.

He also gave his counterpart a copy of President Benigno Aquino III’s letter to Indonesian President Joko Widodo and a humanitarian appeal from the family.

Before leaving for Indonesia, Binay said he hoped he would be given the opportunity to appeal to Widodo regarding Veloso’s case.

He said he hoped Indonesia would look at Veloso with compassion since she was not part of any organized drug syndicate.

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He noted that just recently, Widodo had appealed to the King of Saudi Arabia not to execute an Indonesian domestic worker.

“I am certain His Excellency understands why we in government are doing all we can to save the life of our countrywoman,” Binay said.

“It is the responsibility of governments to come to the aid of their countrymen—especially those in difficult circumstances.”

While in Indonesia, Binay is set to attend the activities hosted by Widodo—including a 20-minute historical walk from Savoy Homann Hotel to Gedung Merdeka.

Binay, who concurrently Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers’ Concerns, is also scheduled to hold a dialogue with the Filipino community in Indonesia.

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