Sister Fox
The Bureau of Immigration has denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Australian nun Patricia Fox, seeking a reversal of the deportation order issued against her.
This was confirmed on Wednesday by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. However, the Justice chief had earlier said Fox can still take her case to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the President.
Guevarra previously told reporters, “If the BI denies Sister Fox’s MR, the deportation order can still be subject to appeal to the DOJ or the Office of the President (OP).”
“Any adverse ruling of the DOJ or OP may further be reviewed by the courts,” he added.
Fox filed a motion for reconsideration appealing BI’s Board of Commissioners (BOC) July decision ordering her deportation and inclusion in the bureau’s blacklist to prevent her from returning to the country.
The BI found that Fox violated “the limitations and conditions of Commonwealth Act 613, Section 9 (g) missionary visa and undesirable under Article 2711, Section 69 and order her deportation to Australia, subject to her submission of all appropriate clearance and the inclusion of her name in the BI’s blacklist, thus barring her re-entry into the country.”
The bureau cited as the basis for its order several photographs showing that she engaged in several partisan political activities sometime in 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
These included incidents where she reportedly demanded the release of political prisoners, joined the rallies for land distribution in Hacienda Luisita, and a labor rally in Davao City.
The BI also considered statements made by President Rodrigo Duterte that the Australian nun is an undesirable alien following her participation in protest rallies.
“In fact, the President even publicly admitted that it was upon his instructions to investigate Fox for disorderly conduct for participating in rallies,” the BI said in its 10-page ruling issued last July.