Camille Naredo

Mary Jane Veloso undergoes booking procedure at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong on December 18, 2024. 
Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Mary Jane Veloso -CIW

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173451454729620241218-mary-jane-veloso-booking-MT390.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Mary Jane Veloso undergoes booking procedure at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong on December 18, 2024.  Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Mary Jane Veloso undergoes booking procedure at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong on December 18, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Bureau of Corrections will form a board to study whether Mary Jane Veloso is eligible for the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) privilege.</p><p>BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang said they will study Veloso’s records that were turned over to them by Indonesian authorities.</p><p>The board will also determine if the 15 year-incarceration of Veloso in Indonesia could be credited for the benefit.</p><p>“In due time, we will be able to know if Mary Jane is qualified for GCTA and if there&#x27;s GCTA, has she served the minimum so that will entitle her at parole at our level, we can recommend that,” he said in a press briefing at the Correctional Institution for Women following Veloso’s arrival on Wednesday, Dec. 18.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/18/tears-tight-hugs-as-veloso-family-reunites-1003">READ: Tears, tight hugs as Mary Jane Veloso reunites with family</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/17/mary-jane-veloso-arrives-in-ph-after-14-year-imprisonment-in-indonesia-0601">READ: Mary Jane Veloso arrives in PH after 14-year imprisonment in Indonesia</a></div><p>Justice undersecretary Raul Vasquez noted that with Veloso’s transfer of custody, she will be “subjected to all laws, regulations, and processes of the Philippine government that are accorded to any persons deprived of liberty”.</p><p>He also cited a Supreme Court ruling which allowed PDLs convicted of heinous crimes, recidivists and escapees to avail of the GCTA benefit.</p><p>“Titingnan din natin kung ano ba ‘yung sistema niya doon, una. Pangalawa, ano ba ‘yung naging conduct niya doon. Pangatlo, ano ba ‘yung pwedeng tingnan na pwedeng paborable,” Vasquez explained.</p><p>“Kasi ‘yung primary concept natin is always towards human rights and the right to liberty, hindi yung lalong patagalin &#x27;yung pagkapreso ng mga tao,” the DOJ official added.</p><p>The law defines GCTA as a privilege granted to a PDL which entitles the person to a sentence reduction as a reward for “good conduct” and “exemplary behavior”.</p><div><strong>GRANTING ABSOLUTE PARDON</strong></div><p>Amid calls for Veloso’s absolute pardon, Vasquez said such is a prerogative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..</p><p>Asked about the possibility of clemency or parole, the DOJ exec said “anything is on the table”.</p><p>However, should the president decide to grant Veloso absolute pardon, Vasquez said she will not be “singled out”.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/17/ahead-of-ph-return-mary-jane-veloso-asks-for-clemency-0153">READ: Ahead of PH return, Mary Jane Veloso asks for clemency</a></div><p>“Hindi komo siya ngayon ang nasa limelight at ang issue sa kanya ang nandyan sa gitna na pinag-uusapan natin, nakakalimutan din natin plight and then the situation of equally sad situation ng ating mga nakapiit din na kababayan,” the DOJ official said.</p><p>For now, Veloso’s camp remains hopeful Marcos Jr. will grant her absolute pardon just in time for Christmas day.</p><p>“So ang hinihingi namin, absolute pardon. No conditions para hindi na talagang magkaroon pa ng balakid sa kanyang paglaya po,” Atty. Edre Olalia, Veloso’s legal counsel told Teleradyo on Tuesday, Dec. 17.</p><p>As it stands, Veloso will be staying at the Correctional Institution for Women for 60 days for quarantine, evaluation and initial security classification.</p><p>She will then be transferred to the facility’s maximum security camp.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABR60BeVgUozoiU8&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script>

<p>The Bureau of Corrections will form a board to study whether Mary Jane Veloso is eligible for the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) privilege.</p>

The Bureau of Corrections will form a board to study whether Mary Jane Veloso is eligible for the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) privilege.

BuCor to form board to study whether Mary Jane Veloso eligible for GCTA

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BuCor to form board to study whether Mary Jane Veloso eligible for GCTA

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 18, 2024 05:36 PM PHT

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Updated December 18, 2024 05:40 PM PHT

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Mary Jane Veloso

Bureau of Corrections

Good Conduct Time Allowance

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