Yusril: The President Of The Philippines Has Not Given A Decision On Mary Jane's Status

Coordinating Minister For Kumham Imipas Yusril Ihza Mahendra/ANTARA/Agatha Olivia Victoria

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections (Kumham Imipas) Yusril IhzaMahendra said that the President of the Philippines has not yet given a decision regarding the status of the death penalty for drug smuggling case Mary Jane Veloso, who was transferred from Indonesia.

Yusril explained that this was in accordance with the policy of the Philippine government which required the prisoners who were repatriated to be placed in prison for 60 days.

"After that, only 60 days later can the President of the Philippines make a decision," said Yusril, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, February 6.

As is known, the Philippine government no longer recognizes the death penalty in its country so it is likely that Mary Jane's criminal status will be changed by the President of the Philippines after being transferred from Indonesia, one of which is to life.

Coordinating Minister for Law and Human Rights Imipas said the Indonesian government continues to be informed about the development of Mary Jane's latest condition until now by the Philippine government.

Currentlypan Jane is being placed in Mandaluyong Prison, Manila, Philippines.

Mary Jane Veloso is a death row convict for smuggling 2.6 kilograms of heroin arrested at Adisutjipto Airport, Yogyakarta, in April 2010.

He was sentenced to death by the Sleman District Court in October 2010. Mary Jane was repatriated from Indonesia to the Philippines in mid-January 2025.

The repatriation of Mary Jane is part of an important agreement between the Indonesian government and the Philippines through the signing of a practical arrangement by Coordinating Minister for Kumham Imipas Yusril Ihza Mahendra and Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs and Philippine Liaison Cluster Raul Vasquez on December 6, 2024.

The agreement affirms the commitment of the two countries to diplomatic values, international cooperation, and respect for the legal sovereignty of each country.

There are four important provisions in the predictive arrangement. First, respect for legal sovereignty.

In this provision, both parties affirm respect for the legal system of each country. Thus, the agreement does not reduce Indonesia's legal sovereignty, including the Indonesian court ruling in the Mary Jane case.

The second provision, the execution of the sentence. After being transferred to the Philippines, Mary Jane will continue to carry out her sentence in accordance with the Philippine law and procedures.

With these provisions, the Philippine government has the authority to grant clemency, remission, or amnesty in accordance with the laws in force in the country.

The third provision is a ban on re-entry to Indonesia. After the transfer, Mary Jane will be included in the local list to enter Indonesian territory, in accordance with Indonesian national law.

The fourth provision is access to information. The Philippine government is committed to providing access to information to the Indonesian government regarding the implementation of Mary Jane's sentence after being transferred.