By JUN RAMIREZ
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has denied with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by Australian nun Patricia Anne Fox to extend her missionary visa.
The two-page resolution was signed by the BI Board of Commissioners composed of Commissioner Jaime Morente and Deputy Commissioners J. Tobias Javier, and Marc Red Mariñas last October 4.
The order states that Fox’s motion contained “merely a reiteration or rehash of arguments already submitted, and found to be without merit and failed to raise any new and substantial arguments.”
Fox’s missionary visa expired last September 5.
The Superior of the Religieuse De Notre Dame De Sion, Inc. applied for her continued stay which was denied last September 13.
“The Board of Commissioners saw that there is no valid reason to reverse the September 13 denial order,” said BI spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval.
Ms. Sandoval likewise clarified that Fox is required to apply for the downgrading of her visa that will revert her status to a temporary visitor’s (tourist) visa valid for 59 days starting from the date of the expiry of her visa.
She explained that non-compliance of the order may result in another deportation case against the missionary.
Fox is likewise the subject of a separate deportation order from the BI, which she appealed to the Department of Justice (DoJ).
The BI was earlier required to submit its comments on said case.
Sandoval said that the BI still needs to wait for the DoJ’s decision before acting on the deportation, adding the bureau may grant Fox the temporary visitor’s visa upon downgrading, without prejudice to the resolution of her appeal to the DoJ.