In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, lawyer Edre Olalia of the National Union of People's Lawyers listed some of the reasons why the Veloso family still has complaints against the government.
"There were factual basis to say that they have something to complain about," Olalia said.
Olalia cited the lack of a translator and a legal counsel during the initial trials of Veloso in Indonesia, noting that the Philippines only sent a lawyer after she was convicted in 2010.
He added that it took three years and eight months before a judicial review of Veloso's conviction was filed. The lawyer reiterated that it was the government's obligation to assist Veloso on her case.
Though Migrante is still grateful for the assistance of the government during the recent events leading to the reprieve of Veloso, Olalia noted that the appeal of President Benigno Aquino III to Indonesian President Joko Widodo is not the only factor that saved the Filipina's life.
Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
"The president is only the funnel... of all these collective efforts. That is something that should be recognized but should not be magnified," Olalia said.
Saying that Aquino's appeal was the major factor that led to the reprieve of Veloso would be a disgrace to the various groups, the media and the church who also acted and prayed, added Olalia.
According to reports, the Philippine government is now eyeing to extend the temporary reprieve of Veloso and for her to return home to the Philippines and give a testimony against her alleged recruiters.
Olalia said that the legal proceedings of the Philippines might alter the decision of Veloso's pending execution in Indonesia as her alleged recruiters surrendered to police authorities a few hours before supposedly facing the firing squad.
Source: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/05/04/1451105/lawyer-veloso-family-has-something-complain-about
Written by: Patricia Lourdes Viray
