Immigration to follow DOJ directive on Sister Patricia Fox

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will reinstate the missionary visa of Australian nun Patricia Fox after the Department of Justice (DOJ) voided the bureau’s order revoking her visa.

In a statement yesterday, BI spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said the bureau would reinstate the 71-year-old nun’s missionary visa and reactivate her Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card so she could stay in the Philippines until the bureau has ruled on her deportation case. 

“We received the resolution on Sister Fox’s Motion for Reconsideration and we submit to the directive from the DOJ on the disposition of her case,” she added.

The forfeiture of Fox’s missionary visa would have downgraded her visa to a temporary visitor’s visa and would require her to leave the country within 30 days.  

But Fox still has to face the deportation charge filed by the BI for her alleged engagement in political activities.

At 4 p.m. yesterday, her lawyers received a copy of the charges for the deportation case filed against her.

“She was charged with violation of the conditions of her stay/undesirability. We are just starting with the investigation and she has been given 15 days to submit her counter-affidavit and evidence,” Sandoval said.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said Fox is “not yet off the hook” as the DOJ’s order to void the BI’s decision nullifying her missionary visa “is without prejudice on the BI’s decision on the deportation proceedings.”

Fox has been a missionary in the Philippines for more than 27 years. She is the provincial superior of the Notre Dame de Sion in the Philippines.

Fox’s condemnation of human rights abuses had angered President Duterte. The BI investigated Fox, which led to her detention and forfeiture of her visa.

Last Monday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra issued a 10-page order stating that the April 23 and May 17 orders of the BI forfeiting Fox’s missionary visa are declared “null and void for having been issued without legal basis.”

“Our existing immigration laws outline what the BI can do to foreigners and their papers – including visas – when they commit certain acts within Philippine territory. What the BI did in this case is beyond what the law provides, that is why it has to be struck down,” read the DOJ’s ruling.

CHR, CBCP laud DOJ’s order

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday welcomed the decision of the DOJ to grant the appeal of Fox to get back her missionary visa.

In a statement, the CHR said the ruling affirms the basic right to due process of everyone residing in the Philippines, whether Filipino or foreigner.

“Sister Patricia can now properly defend herself and the humanitarian work and service she did for the poor and disadvantaged communities, which she considers part of her mission,” said the CHR.

The CHR said it is hopeful that proper procedures and protocols will be observed at all times to ensure rule of law. 

“In this manner, we can guarantee and respect the fundamental rights and inherent dignity of everyone in our country regardless of race, citizenship, gender, among others,” it …added.

For CBCP president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, the DOJ made a wise decision.

“We sincerely appreciate the decision of our government authorities to keep the missionary visa of Sister Patricia Fox. We consider this a decision that comes across as wise, very understanding and kind to the 71-year-old Australian nun of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, who for 28 years worked in the Philippines among the poor and marginalized,” he said in statement yesterday. – With Janvic Mateo, Christina Mendez