The progressive Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives on Wednesday filed a bill which seeks to grant Filipino citizenship to Australian missionary Sr. Patricia Fox.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, ACT-Teachers Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro, Gabriela Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, and Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago filed House Bill 7806 granting Filipino citizenship to the 71-year-old nun as “a response to the call of many farmers, fisher folks, and indigenous people whose lives were touched and helped by Sr. Pat.”
Last week, the Bureau of Immigration affirmed its decision to expel Fox for her alleged participation in partisan politics and activities.
The immigration bureau also warned the missionary and peasant advocate that they would file another deportation case against her if she refuses to leave the country.
“For 27 years, Sr. Pat lived with and served the farmers, indigenous peoples and other marginalized people in the communities. By living with the poor and oppressed, Sr. Pat has come to understand, experience and embrace the culture and the struggle of the poor Filipino majority,” the lawmakers said in the bill.
“Not only that she speaks their language, Sr. Pat was accepted by the Filipino communities and was treated as one of their own because she lives and struggles with them,” they added.
Instead of prosecuting and deporting Fox through “false charges,” the militant lawmakers said the government “should instead recognize and acknowledge her sacrifices in almost three decades of her selfless service to the Filipino people.” /muf