Mary Jane visit not allowed, but assistance continues: DFA

MANILA — Amid criticism from refraining the family of Mary Jane Veloso to visit her in Indonesia, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday clarified that the contemplation of visits is “once or twice after the conviction but not yearly.”

On Jan. 10, Mary Jane’s birthday, her parents expressed regret to relay news they were not able to visit their daughter in prison.

In a forum hosted by Migrante, Mary Jane’s father Cesar Veloso said: “I am sad when we heard we were not allowed to visit her. I am disheartened with that news, why can’t the government allow us to see her?”

Raul Dado, executive director for DFA-Office of Migrant Workers Affairs, said the agency is treating all death penalty cases similarly.

“The contemplation of the visits is once or twice after the conviction but not yearly,” he said.

Citing rules on the use of the Assistance Funds, Dado said “the family has no entitlement to visit her yearly.”

Dado explained that the funds are also used for the repatriation of Filipinos in distress, shipment of remains, medical repatriation, emergency evacuation and the needs of millions of OFWs worldwide.

He added that the DFA is committed to its “equitable use” for all OFWs in need, “giving a fair chance to all.”

While Veloso’s family is not entitled to visit her annually, Dado reiterated that “the Philippine government and the DFA is still committed to giving her the best legal assistance through the generous use of the Legal Assistance Funds (LAF).”

Through LAF, the DFA continues to hire lawyer for her case, he said.