EXCLUSIVE: Mary Jane Veloso CIW Update & Clemency Fight | Breaking News Online PH

“The Life of Mary Jane Veloso at CIW”

By: Celso M. Cajucom

GENERAL MAMERTO NATIVIDAD, NUEVA ECIJA — The clock has been ticking for nearly 16 years for the family of Mary Jane Veloso. Today, their sights are set on a single goal: Executive Clemency.

Now back on Philippine soil for a year and two months after her historic return from Indonesia, Veloso remains detained at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong. While she is under evaluation, the heart of her story remains firmly rooted in the quiet streets of Sito Pulo, Purok-7, Barangay Burol in this town, where her family waits with fingers crossed for her release.

Veloso’s parents, Cesar, 69 and Celia, 66, argue that 16 years is more than enough “time served.” Mary Jane, now 41, recently celebrated her birthday on January 10, 2026, with only six family members allowed to visit. The family claims unfair treatment at the CIW, citing limited visitation and strict restrictions.

“She was just a victim of international human trafficking,” her parents stated, pointing out that her youngest children, Mark Daniel (22) and Mark Darrel (18), have grown up without her. Her husband, Michael Candelaria, has since started a new family in Talavera.

Mary Jane’s elder sister, Marytess Veloso-Laurente—an OFW herself—revealed the harsh realities Mary Jane faced during her initial months at the CIW’ quarantine.

Mary Jane initially slept on the floor on a cardboard pad along with 200 other inmates, the family claims grocery prices inside the facility are tripled.

Mary Jane’s personal items, including her underwear, were reportedly stolen. She eventually learned the “trick”, paying other inmates to act as laundrywomen to protect her belongings. Mary Jane is currently battling a contagious fungal skin infection,.

Despite the struggle, Mary Jane has shown resilience, recently being promoted to “Checker Officer” for maintaining good moral character—an achievement that finally earned her a bed of her own.

While Mary Jane is back in the country, the financial strain on the family is immense. Each visit from Nueva Ecija to Mandaluyong costs ₱7,000. Her brother, Christopher, a roaming junk collector and part-time gamefowl breeder, contributes ₱1,000 whenever he can to cover these trips.

The family expressed deep gratitude to former Rep. Rosanna “Ria” Vergara and incumbent Rep. Julius Cesar “Jay” Vergara for their consistent support. They also thanked DMW Sec. Hans Cacdac, the officials of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), though they noted that some other officials only appear for “press photo opportunities” and then disappear.

The family expressed disappointment in LGU-Natividad Mayor Larry Soriano Ponce, claiming they received “zero support” due to political differences. Despite the family’s deep involvement in his campaign- with Marytess’ husband serving as a campaign leader (Barangay) for Ponce- they believe they are now being sidelined because they were suspected of favoring the Mayor’s opponent.

As Mary Jane shares a facility with high-profile inmates like Deniece Cornejo, Alice Go, and Janet Lim-Napoles, the Veloso family continues to pin their hopes on the “AKSYON Fund” and the mercy of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The AKSYON Fund (Immediate Equipment and Relief for OFW in Need) is a dedicated assistance fund specifically designed to provide legal, medical, and emergency aid to distress overseas Filipino workers.

In a heart to heart conversation, Mary Jane told her sister Marytess that there is a huge difference between the prison facilities in Indonesia and the Philippines. Despite being back on home soil, she described the current conditions and accommodations at the CIW as a far more difficult struggle than her previous confinement in abroad.

Despite the personal hardship, Mary Jane has reportedly become source of support for others. According to Marytess, “Mary Jane is really kind and generous to other fellow inmates who were at the CIW without any relatives, visitors, or financial support. She offers them help, and that’s why she is well-liked by many of them.”

The family is now calling for a closer look at the welfare of inmates. “Being a Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL), we still uphold our fundamental human rights to humane treatment, healthcare, and dignity,” Maritess emphasized.

(Video link below )

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Video link / Facebook Page

https://youtu.be/EcBSP9gfPLs