MANILA – There are limits to the rights and privileges of foreigners in the Philippines, Malacañang said in light of the departure of Australian nun Patricia Fox after the cancellation of her missionary visa.
The Bureau of Immigration’s cancellation of Fox’s missionary visa should serve as a reminder to foreigners that they are not allowed to participate in political rallies in the Philippines, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.
“The departure of Sister Patricia Fox is a timely reminder to all foreigners who stay or sojourn in this country that they are not entitled to all the rights and privileges granted to the citizens of the Philippines,” said Panelo.
Panelo cited the Immigration bureau’s Operations Order SBM 2015-025, approved by then Justice secretary Leila de Lima, for this prohibition.
Fox left the country on Saturday after her temporary visitor’s visa expired.
The Immigration downgraded her missionary visa to a temporary visitor’s visa, and then denied her appeal for a visa extension.
Immigration operatives arrested Fox on April 16 for allegedly violating the conditions of her stay by engaging in political activities and anti-government demonstrations.
Fox filed a petition on May 25 before the Justice department seeking the reversal of the bureau’s leave order on May 17, which forfeited her missionary visa due to the said violation and gave her a temporary visitor’s visa lasting only 30 days.
The Immigration bureau dismissed Fox’s arguments that they forfeited her visa without due process and that the allegation that she engaged in political activities was not backed with solid evidence.
On June 18 the Justice department nullified the Immigration’s order, noting that the missionary visa forfeiture was “without legal basis” and outside the bureau’s power.
Panelo insisted that the Immigration did not abuse its power in ordering the deportation of Fox, citing that the nun personally admitted to participating in rallies as part of her advocacies.
“We thank her for whatever good deeds she has performed during her stay in the country. Such acts, however, cannot exempt her from the punishment imposed by law as a consequence of her wrongdoing,” Panelo said./PN
