Sister Patricia Fox attends the mass of solidarity for her at St. Anthony Shrine in Sampaloc, Manila.聽
蜜桃工作室 FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
The Bureau of Immigration has reaffirmed its order forfeiting the missionary visa of Australian nun Patricia Fox and ordering her to leave the country within 30 days.
In a statement on Wednesday, the bureau said its board of commissioners had denied with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by Fox鈥檚 lawyers which sought to reverse the board鈥檚 April 23 order.
鈥淭his order is final and executory. We will not entertain any further motion for reconsideration,鈥� said Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, who chairs the board, with Deputy Commissioners Tobias Javier and Marc Red Mari帽as as members.
鈥楾hat鈥檚 the law鈥�
Malaca帽ang said it respected the bureau鈥檚 decision.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the law. Dura lex sed lex (The law may be hard, but it is the law),鈥� presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.
If Fox refuses to leave the country, the bureau would initiate deportation proceedings, according to spokesperson Dana Sandoval.
Fox was ordered to leave the country for allegedly violating the terms and conditions of her missionary visa. Immigration officials cited her supposed participation in 鈥減artisan political activities.鈥�
Sandoval said the 30 days would lapse on Friday.
鈥淎ccording to records, April 25 was the date they received the order for visa forfeiture, so it would lapse on May 25,鈥� she said.
Fox had asserted that the bureau forfeited her visa without due process. 鈥�Tina G. Santos and Christine O. Avenda帽o