Court defers BAP sec-gen deportation

A temporary restraining order has been issued by the Court of Appeals (CA) stopping the Bureau of Immigration (BI) from deporting Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) secretary general Graham Lim.

In a two-page resolution, the appellate court’s Seventh Division through Associate Justice Rodrigo Cosico said it supports Lim’s application for injunctive writ, where he claimed that his "deportation would cause him grave and irreparable injury." He was earlier arrested and detained as an illegall alien.

The CA decision temporarily prevents the BI from implementing its April 12, 2005 deportation order as affirmed by the Office of the President.

The order enjoins and restrains respondent and its authorized representatives from implementing the deportation order against Lim.

It would be effective for 60 days from date of issuance. Associate Justice Regaladao Maambong and Lucenito Tagle concurred with the ruling.