MANILA, Philippines — Australian nun Patricia Fox on Monday filed an additional pleading in a bid to overturn the Bureau of Immigration’s deportation order against her.
Rep. Ariel Casilao (Anakpawis party-list) accompanied Fox in filing her Reply to BI’s Comment on her appeal to the Department of Justice on Monday afternoon.
Fox, in her pleading, said that the Immigration bureau’s deportation order was based on hearsay.
“The report of Agent [Melody] Gonzales failed to provide the proper context of the activities participated [in] by the petitioner,” the Reply read.
“The report is also based on hearsay information, sloppy intelligence report by mere social media stalking,” she also said, adding: “Hence, there is no substantial evidence to support the decision in this case because hearsay information is not evidence.”
Fox’s camp asked DOJ to “breathe life to constitutional guarantees on the promotion and protection of human rights.”
Last July, BI ordered Fox placed under the blacklist over her participation in "partisan activities," such as rallies. She was ordered deported by the Philippines' Immigration bureau, but she elevated her case to the DOJ.
Immigration spokesperson Antonette Mangrobang earlier said that its board, when ruling on the cancellation of the Australian nun’s visa, “specifically cited a photograph taken of Fox last April 7 in Davao City where she was seen holding a placard demanding the release of all political prisoners in the country.”
'Not political or partisan activities'
While Fox admitted having joined rallies or assemblies of farmers and indigenous peoples, she asserted: “They are not political or partisan activities for or against the government but simply to help promote and protect the rights of the poor and the needy.”
READ: Philippines does not want Australian nun in the country over this photo
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra was quoted by the PTV4 as saying: “If the Bureau of Immigration will not file for any further pleading, Sister Fox’s petition for review will be deemed submitted for decision.”
The Immigration bureau also junked Fox’s appeal to renew her missionary visa, which expired last September 5. Fox was ordered to file for temporary visitor’s visa that has a validity of 59 days. — Kristine Joy Patag