Palace says only courts can stop BI order for Fox to leave PH

Only a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Court of Appeals (CA) could stop the order of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for Australian nun Patricia Fox to leave the country, Malacanang said on Thursday.

“Well that’s the law and unless they appeal or challenge that order of the Bureau of Immigration, unless they get a TRO from the CA, that it is grave abuse of discretion. It (order) is final and executory,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.

The BI had earlier ordered Fox to leave the Philippines after it forfeited her missionary visa for “her involvement in partisan politics.”

READ: Sister Fox given final act: Leave in 30 days

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday rejected calls for the government to recall the order against Fox.

READ: Duterte rejects calls to withdraw order for Sister Fox to leave PH

Roque on Monday said the President would meet with lawyers from San Beda who were tapped by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to appeal the nun’s case.

The camp of Fox had said earlier that should the BI deny their petition, they would file a motion for reconsideration. They would then elevate the case to the CA and eventually to the Supreme Court (SC) if needed. /ee

READ: Fox’s counsel: We are ready to bring case to CA, SC