The Philippine Justice Department has extended the deadline for the leave order against an Australian nun, who is facing expulsion from the country over her alleged participation in political demonstrations.
The Bureau of Immigration had initially given Australian missionary Patricia Fox until May 25 to leave the country, but Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra announced on Friday that the nun has until June 18 to comply with the leave order.
UCA News reports that Fox had refused to leave the country voluntarily on the day of the initial deadline, saying she had not been given due process when the government issued the leave order.
"If I do not contest the government's order, it could become a bad precedent," Fox told UCA News, expressing concern that other missionaries coming to the Philippines could face the same situation.
Guevarra explained that the deadline was extended because the nun had filed a motion for reconsideration after the immigration bureau issued the leave order.
According to GMA News, the order was issued on April 23 and Fox received it on April 25. The nun filed an appeal on April 30, but it was rejected by the immigration bureau on May 17.
"Upon denial of said Motion for Reconsideration, petitioner had a remaining period of 25 days from May 24, 2018, the date when she was served a copy of the order denying her motion for reconsideration, or until 18 June 2018 within which to leave the country," Guevarra explained, as reported by Rappler.
Guevarra had reportedly instructed the immigration bureau to comment on Fox's appeal within 10 days. After the bureau issues a statement, Fox will be given five days to reply.
The Bureau of Immigration had downgraded Fox's missionary visa to a temporary visitor's pass and "deactivated" her alien certificate of registration.
On Friday, Fox reportedly went to the Justice Department to ask for the reinstatement of her missionary visa.
Fox, who serves as the regional superior of the the international congregation Sisters of Our Lady of Sion in the Philippines, maintained that the photos showing her participation in political rallies are not sufficient grounds for revoking her visa.
"I was supposed to be given the chance to answer the accusations, but the government abused its power and created its own interpretation of the church's mandate," she told UCA News earlier this week.
The immigration bureau had previously warned the nun that she would face a new deportation complaint if she does not leave the country by May 25. The agency further said that Fox would need a decision from the Department of Justice to reverse the leave order. The nun will be allowed to return to the Philippines on a tourist visa, the bureau stated, as reported by Rappler.
