News Writing
Instructions: Write a compelling headline summarizing the key news about Mary
Jane Veloso. Begin with a strong lead paragraph highlighting the most important
update from the three press releases. Provide background on her case, include key
details from the press releases, and end with the implications or next steps.
Article 1
Mary Jane Veloso, Filipina nearly executed in Indonesia, arrives home
Mother of two, who became a poster child for anti-trafficking groups, now awaits
potential pardon in a Manila prison.
A Filipina who spent nearly 15 years on death row in Indonesia and was almost
executed by firing squad has returned home, where she now awaits a potential
pardon in a women’s prison.
Mary Jane Veloso, 39, landed at Manila airport early on Wednesday following
a repatriation deal between the two countries that eliminated the threat of her
execution, as the Philippines has long abolished the death penalty.
The mother of two was arrested and sentenced to death in 2010 after a suitcase
she was carrying was found to be lined with 2.6 kilogrammes (5.7 pounds) of heroin.
She flew home without handcuffs alongside Filipino correctional officials on an
overnight commercial flight after a Jakarta ceremony marking “the end of a
harrowing chapter in Veloso’s life”, the corrections bureau said in a statement.
Veloso was flanked by heavy security upon her arrival at the airport and was
transported straight to a prison facility for women. Her family and dozens of
supporters chanting slogans such as “Clemency for Mary Jane” and “Free, free Mary
Jane” who were waiting outside the terminal failed to greet Veloso on her arrival.
Prison guards later allowed Veloso’s family to spend time with her. Veloso’s two
sons ran towards her and hugged her tightly as they met inside the prison
compound.
“I hope our president [Ferdinand Marcos] will give me clemency so I can go back to
my family. I had been in jail in Indonesia for 15 years over something I did not
commit,” an emotional Veloso, who is technically still serving a life sentence, told
reporters after undergoing a medical examination at the Manila prison.
The conviction and death sentence for the single mother of two sons caused an
outcry in the Philippines.
She had travelled to Indonesia where a recruiter, Maria Kristina Sergio, reportedly
told her a job as a domestic worker awaited her. Sergio also allegedly provided the
suitcase where the drugs were found.
In 2015, Indonesia moved Veloso to an island prison where she and eight other drug
convicts were scheduled to be executed despite objections from their home
countries Australia, Brazil, France, Ghana and Nigeria.
Indonesia executed the others but Veloso was granted a stay of execution because
Sergio had been arrested in the Philippines two days earlier. She faces human
trafficking charges, and Veloso was named as a prosecution witness in the case.
Veloso became a poster child for her country’s 10 million-strong economic diaspora,
many of whom take jobs as domestic workers abroad to escape poverty at home.
Marcos said last month that Veloso’s story resonated in the Philippines as “a mother
trapped by the grip of poverty, who made one desperate choice that altered the
course of her life”.
In a statement on Wednesday, Marcos thanked Indonesia for turning over custody
of Veloso, but made no mention of a pardon or clemency.
Under the agreement, Veloso’s life sentence now falls under the Philippines’
purview, “including the authority to grant clemency, remission, amnesty and similar
measures”.
“Definitely, that’s on the table,” Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez told reporters
on Wednesday, adding Veloso’s clemency bid would be “seriously studied”.
She will serve out her life sentence if not pardoned, Vasquez added.
Indonesia’s government has said it will respect any decision made by Manila.
The Veloso deal includes a “reciprocity” provision. “If Indonesia requests similar
assistance in the future, the Philippines shall fulfil such a request,” the agreement
states.
There has been intense press speculation that Indonesia would seek custody of
Gregor Johann Haas, an Australian detained on drug charges in the Philippines
earlier this year.
He is also being sought by Jakarta over drug smuggling, which could land him the
death penalty.
About 530 people are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes,
including 96 foreigners, Ministry of Immigration and Corrections data showed last
month. Indonesia’s last executions, of a citizen and three foreigners, were carried
out in July 2016.
Five Australians who spent almost 20 years in Indonesian prisons for heroin
trafficking returned to Australia on Sunday under a deal struck between the
governments.
Source: [Link]
nearly-executed-in-indonesia-arrives-home
Article 2
Statement by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on the return of Mary Jane
Veloso to PH
We take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to the Indonesian
government and to all who have extended assistance for the welfare of Ms.
Mary Jane Veloso. We are pleased to announce that she was turned over into
the custody of Philippine officials in the evening of 17 December. She arrived
in Manila accompanied by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs,
National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration, and Bureau of
Corrections, this morning, 18 December 2024.
We assure the Filipino people that Ms. Veloso’s safety and welfare is
paramount and our agencies in the justice and law enforcement sector shall
continue to ensure it, as our Indonesian counterparts have safeguarded it for
so long. The Philippine government welcomes the imminent transfer of Ms.
Veloso which was made possible by our strong friendship and cooperation
with the Indonesian government.
Source: [Link]
jr-on-the-return-of-mary-jane-veloso-to-ph/
Article 3
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the return of
Mary Jane Veloso after 14 years
December 20, 2024
2:46 pm
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) warmly welcomes Mary Jane
Veloso’s return to the Philippines after enduring 14 years of incarceration in
Indonesia, including time on death row. Her homecoming reflects the
enduring pursuit of justice and compassion.
This milestone coincides with the recent observance of International Migrant
Workers Day, underscoring the bravery of Filipino migrant workers and the
urgent need to protect their rights and welfare. Veloso’s case is a stark
reminder of the vulnerabilities many migrant workers face, particularly those
preyed upon by criminal syndicates exploiting their aspirations for a better
future.
CHR commends the Philippine government, especially the Department of
Foreign Affairs, for its relentless efforts to secure Veloso’s transfer from
Indonesian custody to Philippine soil, where she will serve the remainder of
her sentence. We also recognize the noteworthy role played by both
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines and President Prabowo
Subianto of Indonesia, whose diplomatic agreement facilitated this
significant development. This achievement reflects the government’s deep
commitment to valuing human life and ensuring the safety and well-being of
its citizens.
While Veloso’s story is one of hope and perseverance, the CHR underscores
the importance of vigilance against criminal syndicates that exploit Filipino
migrants. The government must continue to strengthen protective measures
and provide comprehensive support to vulnerable overseas workers.
The CHR also calls for the government’s attention to other Filipino migrant
workers who face criminal charges in foreign countries. It is crucial that the
government continues to extend the same protection and diplomatic efforts
afforded to Veloso to other Filipino workers in similar situation. In line with
the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, the State has an
obligation to ensure the safety, dignity, and fundamental rights of its citizens
working overseas.
As we welcome Veloso’s return, the Commission reiterates its commitment
to upholding the sanctity of life. A more comprehensive and sustainable
approach to the rehabilitation and reintegration of incarcerated individuals is
essential—one that prioritizes human dignity and ensures long-term well-
being through holistic support systems.
In observance of the International Migrant Workers Day, may Veloso’s story
serve as a reminder of the shared responsibility of States to protect migrant
workers, whose sacrifices and struggles embody the true spirit of courage
and hope. ###
Source: [Link]
return-of-mary-jane-veloso-after-14-years/
SCORE SHEET FOR NEWS WRITING
Form and Style (40%) Score
Arranges details of the event in decreasing importance
Shows the news writer’s ability to organize information
Uses a lead that is clear and focused on the most important
detail
Avoids the use of words with controversial elements or
double- meaning
Avoids personal slants
Has clear and unbiased headline
Uses short and simple words
Conforms with the principles of unity and coherence
Observes the rules of grammar and syntax
Uses transitions properly
Observes gender fair language.
Content (50%)
Uses appropriate lead type to get the readers’ attention
Presents to the readers the most important detail of the event
Follows logical presentation of the event and emphasizes the
most important or relevant fact (s)
Follows the correct news writing format/style
Ethics (10%)
Showcases original works of students.
Properly cites information and attributes these facts from the
source of information (cut across all events)
Observes standards of journalism in terms of fairness,
relevance, accuracy, and balance
Has no potentially libelous or obscene content, plagiarism
and copyright violations
TOTAL (100%)
Comments/Suggestions:
SCORE SHEET FOR FEATURE WRITING
Form and Style (30%) Score
Observes the rules of grammar and syntax
Conforms with the principles of organization and progression
of ideas
Exhibits creative presentation of facts in the story
Uses a catchy title for the article
Sustains interest of the readers
Utilizes the appropriate feature type to emphasize the
impact/relevance of the topic
Observes gender fair language.
Content (60%)
Cites facts like historical references, statistics, relevant
names/facts to bolster credibility of statements and/or
narratives
Presents a new angle or information about the topic that are
timely and interesting to read
Stirs the imagination of the reader
Balances presentation of thoughts and ideas from the
obtained data with those of the writers’ perceptions
Ethics (10%)
Showcases original works of students.
Properly cites information and attributes these facts from the
source
of information (cut across all events)
Observes standards of journalism in terms of fairness,
relevance, accuracy, and balance
Has no potentially libelous or obscene content, plagiarism and
copyright violations
TOTAL (100%)
Comments/Suggestions:
