The missionary visa of Australian nun Patricia Fox is set to expire on Sept. 5 but Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said she can still apply for a tourist visa to prolong her stay in the Philippines.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) earlier denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Fox to reverse the deportation order issued against her for violating the condition of her stay in the country.
The deportation order was issued for allegedly violating her stay in the Philippines after participating in protest actions.
Guevarra said Fox’s visa “may be downgraded to a tourist visa only for a limited period subject to the outcome of any further proceedings on the deportation issue.”
Aside from the deportation order, once it becomes final, she will be included in the blacklist for being an undesirable alien.
For now, Fox can continue to stay in the Philippines until her case is concluded.
Her lawyers said they will take her case to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Guevarra earlier also said that Fox’s case can still be raised to the Court of Appeals and eventually, the Supreme Court. /vvp