Aussie nun not yet off the hook, can still be deported, says Palace

June 19, 2018

Malacanang said on Tuesday Australian missionary Patricia Fox was not yet off the hook despite the decision of the Department of Justice declaring as null and void an order of the Bureau of Immigration forfeiting her missionary visa.

In a press briefing in Cotabato City, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra's  decision was without prejudice to Fox's deportation proceedings.

"Just to clarify, Sister Fox is not yet off the hook. What was nullified by the DOJ is the decision of the Commission on Immigration and Deportation (CID) which nullified her missionary visa," he saif.

Roque reiterated the DOJ decision, stating the Immigration head has no power to revoke the missionary visa.

"But the deportation proceedings are still pending, that's why the decision of Justice Secretary Guevarra, this is without prejudice on the decision of the CID on the deportation proceedings," he said, noting  that the issue on the deportation proceedings was whether or not Fox was engaged in partisan politics.

"Let's wait for the decision of the CID on the issue," he added.

Guevarra's order stated that visa forfeiture is not in BI’s Omnibus Rules of Procedure 2015, and orders for proper disposition of the case.

With the DOJ ruling, BI Spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said it will be reinstating Fox’s visa and reactivating her ACR I-Card, and she is free to remain in the country and continue her missionary work pending the result of the deportation charge against her and possible visa cancellation case. Celerina Monte/DMS