(Eagle News) — The Office of the Solicitor General has appealed the appellate court’s decision stopping Mary Jane Veloso, who has been convicted of drug-related charges in Indonesia, from testifying against her alleged recruiters in the Philippines.
In its motion filed on Jan. 16, the OSG said the CA’s 11th Division should reverse its decision setting aside the decision of a Nueva Ecija court that gave Veloso the green signal to testify against Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao.
Lacanilao and Sergio are facing human trafficking charges, illegal recruitment and swindling charges in that regional trial court.
“Verily, (Veloso’s) personal appearance before the trial court for the presentation of her testimony cannot be reasonably expected owing to her detention in an Indonesian jail,” the OSG said.
The National Union of People’s Lawyers welcomed the OSG’s decision to appeal.
According to NUPL president Edre Olalia, the position of the OSG in the case was “compatible and is on all fours with our submission as Philippine counsels for (Veloso) and her family.”
Veloso was sentenced to death by firing squad after a court ruled she brought heroin to Indonesia.
Veloso has said she was only duped by Lacanilao and Sergio, and did not know that the baggage she was bringing contained drugs.
Her execution was stayed in 2015 after charges were filed against Sergio and Lacanilao.
