Mother of Filipina who spent 15 years on death row in Indonesia calls for pardon

Mother of Mary Jane Veloso urges Philippine president to act so family can be reunited for Christmas

The mother of Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipino domestic helper who spent almost 15 years on death row in Indonesia, has urged her government to grant a pardon after she is repatriated so their family can be reunited for Christmas.

Veloso, 39, who was sentenced to death in 2010 for drug trafficking, was handed over to Philippine officials in Jakarta on Tuesday night, after the Indonesian and Philippine governments reached a deal to allow her to return.