Binay set to plead for Filipina on death row

By Bernice Camille V Bauzon/Manila TimesVice President Jejomar Binay will make a last-ditch effort to appeal to Indonesian President Joko Widodo to spare the life of Filipina Mary Jane Veloso, who is currently on death row for illegal-drugs possession.Binay, presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ concerns, will leave for Indonesia on April 22, to attend the Asian-African Summit in Bandung.He will also use that time, to appeal to Widodo for Veloso’s life.“I am hoping that we will be given the opportunity to personally appeal to His Excellency’s kind heart for the commutation of the sentence of Mary Jane,” the vice president said in a statement. Binay expressed sadness that the Indonesian Supreme Court has chosen not to grant Veloso’s first request for a judicial review of her case even as he cited the Philippine government’s respect for Indonesia’s laws and legal system.But he said he hopes that Indonesia will look at Veloso with compassion, since she is not part of any organised drug syndicate.“She, too, was a victim,” the vice president noted.He said a person whom Veloso trusted and knew personally “took advantage of her trust when she asked Veloso to hand-carry a luggage containing illegal drugs.”“I intend to bring to His Excellency our people’s hope for compassion, given the circumstances surrounding the case,” Binay added. Just recently, President Widodo appealed to the King of Saudi Arabia not to execute an Indonesian domestic worker there.“I am certain His Excellency understands why we in government are doing all we can to save the life of our compatriot. It is the responsibility of governments to come to the aid of their countrymen, especially those in difficult circumstances,” Binay said. The Asian-African Summit will gather leaders from 29 countries “to discuss peace, security and economic development in the midst of emerging problems in many parts of the world.”While in Indonesia, the vice president will hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, on issues concerning Philippine and Indonesian relations.He is also set to attend activities hosted by Widodo, including a 20-minute historical walk from Savoy Homann Hotel to Gedung Merdeka.Binay is also scheduled to hold a dialogue with the Filipino community in Indonesia.