Mary Jane Veloso finally faced her recruiters in court on Friday, June 19 — 11 years after she first accused them of setting her up. For the first time, she testified in person against Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao, the people she says gave her the suitcase that landed her on Indonesia's death row.
The closed-door hearing took place at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, where Veloso is currently detained. Her lead counsel, Edre Olalia of the National Union of People's Lawyers, said direct examination, cross-examination, and redirect examination were all completed in one day. "This is the first time that Mary Jane was able to personally testify," Olalia told Rappler.
Sergio and Lacanilao appeared via video conference — Sergio from Iwahig Penal Colony in Palawan, Lacanilao from Bilibid Prison. Both are already serving time for illegal recruitment in a separate case decided in 2020.
Veloso's story is one that many Filipinos know by heart. In 2010, she was arrested in Indonesia after authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin sewn into the lining of her suitcase. She was sentenced to death by firing squad in 2015. A last-minute reprieve saved her, and she was finally repatriated to the Philippines in December 2024.
According to Veloso, the recruiters gave her the suitcase. She's maintained from the start that she was a victim of human trafficking and had no idea drugs were hidden in her bag.
After testifying, Veloso looked visibly relieved. "Napapanaag ko naman sa mukha niya na parang nakahinga nang maluwag kasi matagal na niyang gustong ilabas ang kuwento niya," Olalia said. (I could see in her face that she breathed a sigh of relief because she'd wanted to tell her story for so long.)
Outside the prison, Migrante International held a rally in support of Veloso. Her parents, Celia and Cesar, were there. "Malaki 'yung tulong niya," Cesar told reporters about the impact of the testimony. "Sana, dapat noon pa. Hinihintay na nung anak ko 'yan e, kasi wala siyang kasalanan." (I hoped it happened sooner because my daughter had been waiting for it. She wanted to be able to tell that she is innocent.)
Joanna Concepcion, chairperson of Migrante International, called it a "historical day" for all migrant workers. "Ang testimonya ni Mary Jane ay magbibigay-lakas ng loob at inspirasyon sa lahat ng ating mga OFW migranteng manggagawa na patuloy na lumalaban," she said. (Mary Jane's testimony will give courage and inspiration to all our OFW migrant workers who continue to fight.)
Veloso's legal team is also pushing for her release through a different route. In November 2025, the NUPL filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus with the Supreme Court, arguing that her detention is unconstitutional because no Philippine court has issued a charge, conviction, or commitment order against her. In May 2026, they submitted a motion to resolve the petition. As of April 30, the Court had only asked for payment of legal fees and a properly verified petition.
Her family continues to appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for an absolute pardon. Cesar Veloso said they haven't heard back from Malacañang. "Sana, itong pangyayari na ito, sana mapakinggan niya at maibigay na ang clemency sa aming anak at makapiling na namin siya," he said. (I hope, with this incident, that he will finally listen and grant clemency to our daughter so we can finally be with her.)