Mary Jane Veloso, who returned to the Philippines from Indonesia, now has the chance to shorten her prison term through the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA), according to Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez. Veloso, previously on death row for drug trafficking, can now benefit from the privileges available to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) under Philippine law. Vasquez explained that Veloso’s transfer to the Philippines subjects her to the same rights and privileges as other PDLs, including the GCTA system, which rewards good behavior with time off the sentence. He noted that even with a long sentence, good conduct in prison can lead to earning credits that reduce the time needed before parole eligibility. Additionally, Veloso’s return facilitates her active participation in the legal proceedings against her alleged recruiters, Ma. Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao, who were convicted of life imprisonment in 2020 for illegal recruitment. Veloso’s presence in the country will expedite the prosecution of these cases, as she can testify either in person or via video conferencing. Veloso was arrested in 2010 and sentenced to death that year after heroin was discovered in her luggage. Her execution was postponed in 2015 when her recruiters surrendered to authorities.
Mary Jane Veloso’s Repatriation to Philippines Opens Door for Sentence Reduction
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