YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia - An Indonesian court on Monday rejected the second appeal for judicial review of Filipino Mary Jane Veloso, who is set to be executed Tuesday after being convicted of drug trafficking.
Edre Olalia, secretary general of the National Union of People's Lawyers, said he received a report from his colleagues that the court has rejected the second appeal.
"I was informed by some of my colleagues reportedly...that the second judicial review has been denied by the court but I need to check it out...on the accuracy of the report," he said in an interview on ANC's Top Story.
He said if the report is accurate, then the political approach or the plea for clemency by Philippine leaders will be the only approach left to save the life of Veloso.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Charles Jose said the Philippine embassy in Jakarta has confirmed that the second appeal of Veloso has been rejected.
Jose said that according to Sleman District Court, the second appeal was denied based on a Supreme Court rule that only one appeal is allowed.
He said the embassy is now asking Indonesia if the discussions of President Aquino with Indonesian President Joko Widodo this morning "may open another window."
Veloso was arrested after authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin sewn into her suitcase at the Yogyakarta Airport in 2010. Her lawyers and family have said Mary Jane was unaware that the drug stash was in her bag.
Aquino met with Widodo on Monday to appeal the case of Veloso.
The meeting happened past 10 am Monday in a pull-aside meeting during the plenary session of the 26th ASEAN Summit. The meeting lasted around five minutes.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Widodo showed sympathy when Aquino first raised the issue.
“President Aquino appealed for humanitarian consideration for Mary Jane Veloso who was apparently duped into being an unwitting carrier of illegal drugs. He said President Widodo was sympathetic and was consulting with the Indonesian Attorney General on the legal issues. President Widodo promised to resume the conversation with President Aquino later today,” Coloma said.
In a separate press conference, Jose expressed hope the ASEAN connection will somehow provide a leeway for Veloso. “That’s what we are hoping for in the diplomatic approach that we are initiating.”
Veloso may be executed at 5 p.m. on April 28. - with a report from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
