The Bureau of Immigration has denied with finality the Motion for Reconsideration filed by Australian nun Patricia Anne Fox to extend her missionary visa, saying she failed to raise any new arguments to support her stay in the Philippines.
The agency said in its order on Oct. 4 that Fox’s motion contained “merely a reiteration or rehash of [the] arguments already submitted, and found to be without merit.”
Officials claim Fox has been joining demonstrations against the government, something she is not allowed to do because she is a foreigner.
Immigration spokeswoman Dana Krizia Sandoval said Fox’s missionary visa expired on Sept. 5 this year.
"She applied for an extension of her missionary visa which was petitioned by the Superior of the Religieuse De Notre Dame De Sion Inc., but was denied last Sept. 13," Sandoval said.
"Approving her extension will be inconsistent with the findings cited in the deportation order against her.
"Our Board of Commissioners saw that there is no valid reason to reverse the September 13 Denial Order. She presented no new arguments in her motion for reconsideration."
Sandoval also said Fox was required to apply for the downgrading of her visa.
“Downgrading is the process that will revert her status to a temporary visitor’s visa, and she will be given 59 days starting from the date of the expiry of her visa,” she said.
"Non-compliance [with] the order may result in another deportation case against her.”
Fox is also the subject of a separate Deportation Order from Immigration that she appealed to the Justice department.