Immigration board reaffirms order: Sister Fox must leave PH

Sister Patricia Fox attends the mass of solidarity for her at St. Anthony Shrine in Sampaloc, Manila. 
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

The Bureau of Immigration has reaffirmed its order forfeiting the missionary visa of Australian nun Patricia Fox and ordering her to leave the country within 30 days.

In a statement on Wednesday, the bureau said its board of commissioners had denied with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by Fox’s lawyers which sought to reverse the board’s April 23 order.

“This order is final and executory. We will not entertain any further motion for reconsideration,” said Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, who chairs the board, with Deputy Commissioners Tobias Javier and Marc Red Mariñas as members.

‘That’s the law’

Malacañang said it respected the bureau’s decision.

“That’s the law. Dura lex sed lex (The law may be hard, but it is the law),” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

If Fox refuses to leave the country, the bureau would initiate deportation proceedings, according to spokesperson Dana Sandoval.

Fox was ordered to leave the country for allegedly violating the terms and conditions of her missionary visa. Immigration officials cited her supposed participation in “partisan political activities.”

Sandoval said the 30 days would lapse on Friday.

“According to records, April 25 was the date they received the order for visa forfeiture, so it would lapse on May 25,” she said.

Fox had asserted that the bureau forfeited her visa without due process. —Tina G. Santos and Christine O. Avendaño