Deportation order vs. Aussie nun ‘final, executory’: BI

Australian nun Patricia Anne Fox. (File photo by Roy Lagarde/CBCP News)

MANILA — An official of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Friday maintained that the deportation order against Australian nun Patricia Anne Fox is final and executory within 30 days.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval noted that the order of the Board of Commissioners on Thursday will be implemented within one month, based on the omnibus rules, unless the Missionary nun files an appeal.

“According to the omnibus rules, (the) order is final and executory within 30 days unless Motion for Reconsideration (MR) is filed,” she said in an interview.

The BI official added that once a deportation has been issued, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will submit a clearance to show that the person being deported “has no accountability in the country and “has no pending case in court”.

The MR should be filed before BI, Sandoval said, noting that it would be the decision of the camp of Fox if they want to seek the help of higher office, if they feel that the BI will deny their appeal.

“It will depend on the MR and if they decide to elevate it to the higher office, we just follow what the Department of Justice (DOJ) orders us,” she added.

On Thursday, the BI issued an order to deport Fox for violating the conditions of her missionary visa for participating in political rallies, fact-finding missions and conferences in various areas of the country.

The 10-page order also puts the 71-year-old nun in the BI’s blacklist, barring her from reentering the country.