MANILA — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Sunday said the lawyers of Australian nun Patrica Fox have been asked to beef up their arguments in connection with her deportation case.
“I have directed Sister Fox, through counsel, and the BI (Bureau of Immigration) to submit their respective memoranda in the deportation case within a non-extendible period of 30 days. After that period lapses, the DOJ will resolve Sister Fox’s appeal, with or without the memoranda,” Guevarra said in a message to reporters.
“Meanwhile, the 59-day period of Sister Fox’s temporary visitor’s visa has begun to run,” he added.
Last week, the Bureau of Immigration downgraded the missionary visa of Sister Patricia Fox to a temporary visitor’s visa.
In an order signed Oct. 24, the Australian nun was given a temporary visitor status with a 59-day validity following the denial of her request for the extension of her missionary visa which expired on September 5.
Immigration officials said they granted Fox the temporary visitor’s visa, without prejudice to the resolution of her appeal before the DOJ on her deportation. (Benjamin Pulta/PNA)
