Bam pushes bill providing permanent residency to foreign missionaries

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV. PHOTO FROM OFFICE OF SEN. BAM AQUINO

Amid the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) order to expel Australian nun Patricia Fox, Senator Bam Aquino on Thursday renewed his call to expedite the passage of his bill seeking to give permanent residency to foreign religious workers and missionaries as recognition for their efforts to uplift the welfare of the poor.

Aquino also vowed to file a resolution to investigate possible abuses in the deportation of foreign nationals.

“Foreign religious workers like Sister Fox are partners for change. Many of them are fighting for the rights and welfare of the poor through outreach work and social missions,” Aquino said in Senate Bill No. 702 or the Permanent Residency to Qualified Religious Workers Act.

Under the bill which he filed on July 20, 2016, Aquino emphasized that “foreign religious workers have sacrificed a lot, including leaving the comfort of their homes and their families, just to serve the Filipino people.”

“These are devoted individuals who intend to live the rest of their lives serving the Filipino people,” the senator stressed.

The proposed measure seeks to amend Commonwealth Act No. 613, or the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, to spare foreign religious from burdensome requirements and procedures to stay in the country and performing their chosen vocation here that benefits our communities.

According to the senator, the measure is also aimed at updating the antiquated immigration law “to better address the changing needs and demands of the increasing globalized and interconnected international community.”

Aquino earlier condemned the cancelation of missionary visa of Sister Fox who, because of this, may face deportation. Aquino said “the government overlooked the missionary’s help to poor Filipinos just because she fought for their cause.”

“Binalewala ng administrasyon ang ilang taong pagtulong ni Sister Patricia Fox sa mahihirap na Pilipino dahil siya’y nakikiisa sa kanilang ipinaglalaban,” said Aquino. “Lantaran na ang panggigipit sa mga taong lumalaban at hindi sunud-sunuran.”

(The administration disregarded the years of sacrifice and assistance of Sister Fox to the poor Filipino, because she sympathized with their crusade.) (The harassment against those who are continuing the fight and those who resist is very glaring.)

The Immigration earlier ordered to revoke Fox’s missionary visa and compel her to leave the country within 30 days upon receipt of the order for her alleged participation in partisan politics and activities.

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

The agency also canceled her missionary visa despite its validity until September 2018.

After the 71-year-old peasant advocate was arrested last April 16 by the BI, President Rodrigo Duterte admitted that he “ordered the investigation” against her.

Duterte said it was because of Fox’s “disorderly conduct,” citing her attendance in political rallies that she was placed under investigation. /jpv