Sister Patricia Fox’s defiance in complying with the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) leave order could get her blacklisted.
Dana Sandoval, BI spokeswoman, explained that another deportation proceeding would be initiated against the 71-year old nun if she refuses to leave the country by Friday, May 25.
Another deportation case, Sandoval said, could result in a blacklist order being issued against Sister Fox. Blacklisted foreigners are barred from entering the country.
“In a deportation case, the worst case is blacklisting. (That is) if the deportation will push through. The best is for her to leave,” Sandoval said in an interview on Thursday.
READ: Sister Patricia Fox defiant, refuses to leave PH
Sandoval said if Sister Fox leaves on Friday, she could still apply for another visa—a tourist visa.
The BI spokeswoman clarified that there was nothing stated in the BI’s leave order against Sister Fox that she would be barred from entering the country after complying.
“She has to apply for it outside. Because of the visa forfeiture, the alien is required to go out of the country,” the BI official said.
“This is not the first time an incident of visa forfeiture has occurred. There are other cases before,” she also said.
Lawyer Jobert Pahilga, counsel for Sister Fox, earlier said that the Australian missionary would not leave the country, and that they would file an appeal before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
But even if an appeal was filed before the DOJ, Sandoval said that they would still enforce the leave order against Sister Fox.
However, Sandoval clarified: “Whatever the DOJ instructs, we will follow the higher office.”
The BI is an attached agency of the DOJ. /vvp