Binay: Mary Jane Veloso risked life for sons’ future

VICE President Jejomar Binay on Sunday said that Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina drug convict on death row in Indonesia, is an example of a mother who would do anything to provide the needs of her children.

In a statement for this year’s Mother’s Day celebration, Binay said that Veloso risked her life to ensure the future of her children.

“It is said that mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. Indeed, our mother’s unconditional love and support stays with us throughout our lifetime. They do whatever is humanly possible for us to be able to achieve our full potential,” he said.

“One such mother is Mary Jane Veloso, who risked liberty and life just so she could provide a better life for her family. Mary Jane is a reminder of the lengths a mother would go to ensure her child’s safety and future,” Binay said.

The Vice President also urged Filipinos to express gratitude to their mothers.

“Today, as we celebrate the gift of motherhood, let us express our gratitude to the mothers in our lives – be it our mothers, spouses, sisters, or daughters – and reaffirm to them our love and devotion that they deserve. May we never take them for granted and instead work together to build a society that respects and protects their rights,” he added.

Thirty-year-old Veloso, who is also a mother of two young boys, was convicted in 2010 of drug smuggling after Indonesian authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage when she arrived at the Yogyakata International Airport.

She was set to be executed on April 28 but an 11th hour reprieve from the Indonesian government saved her from death through firing squad. AC

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