Herrera welcomes Veloso’s return, urges support for OFW single parents
HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera has lauded the successful negotiations leading to the impending repatriation of Mary Jane Veloso, who was previously on death row in Indonesia, calling her journey a reflection of the resilience, strength, and sacrifices of Filipino solo parents.
Veloso, a single mother to two sons, endured immense hardships abroad in her pursuit of a better life for her children, including an attempted rape by her employer in Dubai and her subsequent ordeal in Indonesia.
“Mary Jane Veloso’s story is not just her own—it’s the story of countless Filipino solo parents who go to unimaginable lengths to secure their children’s future,” Herrera said.
“Her courage and determination, despite her trials, remind us of the vital need to provide more robust support for solo parents, especially those working abroad,” she added.
Veloso became a solo parent after separating from her husband, left for Dubai in 2009 to work as a household service worker. Like many Filipino solo parents, she sought opportunities abroad to provide for her family.
However, she returned to the Philippines before completing her contract due to an attempted sexual assault by her employer.
In her subsequent attempt to seek work abroad in 2010, Veloso fell victim to drug traffickers, leading to her imprisonment in Indonesia.
Herrera emphasized that Veloso’s experiences highlight the vulnerabilities of solo parents working overseas, particularly those who face exploitation, abuse, or trafficking.
Herrera highlighted the need for stronger support systems for OFWs, particularly solo parents, who are often vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
She urged the government to ensure access to legal aid, mental health services, and alternative livelihood opportunities to prevent similar tragedies.
The seasoned lawmaker also called for improved enforcement of the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, ensuring that single parents working abroad and their children receive adequate support.
“Mary Jane’s resilience reminds us of the urgent need to protect solo parents and create a society where they no longer have to endure such risks to provide for their families,” Herrera stressed.
Veloso, who has been on death row in Indonesia since her arrest for heroin trafficking in Yogyakarta in 2010, was recently granted permission to return to the Philippines to serve her sentence, following extensive diplomatic efforts.
