Mary Jane Veloso to testify in court for first time since return to Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Mary Jane Veloso will testify in a Philippine court for the first time since returning to the country in 2024.

According to Veloso’s lawyer, Edre Olalia, who is also the president of the National Union of People’s Lawyers, Veloso is set to testify in the trafficking in persons and other cases she filed against her former recruiters.

In a phone call with reporters on Wednesday, May 6, Olalia said she will testify before a Mandaluyong City court.

He also explained that the Supreme Court has already ordered the case, which was initially filed in Nueva Ecija, to be transferred to the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court.

However, Olalia said that there has yet to be a trial date for the case against Veloso’s former recruiters.

Also on Wednesday, Veloso’s parents arrived at the Department of Justice with Olalia for a "case conference."

The case Olalia is referring to is the one filed against her recruiters, Ma. Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao, for qualified human trafficking, estafa, and illegal recruitment, which are still pending.

When asked about Veloso’s clemency, Olalia said that it is still in process, but her camp is hopeful it will be granted.

“Any day is a good day for justice for Mary Jane," Olalia said.

In October 2025, Veloso’s family asked the Supreme Court to expedite her cases against her recruiters, which were then pending before the Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court Branch 89.

Originally arrested for drug trafficking in Indonesia in 2010, she was saved from execution in 2015 after her recruiter turned themselves in.

After 14 years of imprisonment in Indonesia, Veloso was finally returned to the Philippines on Dec. 18, 2024. She is currently detained at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City.

Since her return, she has been asking the government for clemency.