Patricia Fox appeals missionary visa extension

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Sister Patricia Anne Fox filed a motion for reconsideration before the Bureau of Immigration yesterday afternoon for the BI to extend her missionary visa.

Fox’s camp asked the BI to “reverse and set aside” its Sept. 13 order and for the bureau to grant her application for the extension of her missionary visa, subject to the result of the appeal on her deportation case pending before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Fox’s lawyer Jobert Pahilga said they based their argument on the memorandum of agreement the BI entered with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) wherein foreign missionaries would be allowed to stay in the country for 10 years. 

Pahilga said this is the third time that the 72-year-old provincial superior of Sisters of Our Lady of Sion is seeking an extension since she has been working as a missionary in the country for the last 27 years.

“It is not true that her missionary visa has long expired. According to the MOA with the CBCP, she has a 10-year (visa) but that does not preclude her form extending for another 10 years so this is her third extension so it should expire by 2024,” Pahilga said. 

Her last missionary visa was issued in 2016 and since it was only valid for two years, it expired last Sept. 5.

But when asked why was Fox required to renew her missionary visa every year or two if she was allowed to stay for 10 years, her lawyer said that this was based on the BI rules.

“It depends on (BI) rules, 10 years is the maximum period,” Pahilga said.

The BI ordered the deportation of Fox for being an undesirable alien because she has allegedly been involved in partisan political activities.