Ched Rick Gatchalian

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Businessman Joseph Sy is Chinese based on BI certification — Hontiveros

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Businessman Joseph Sy and Chinese citizen Chen Zhong Zhen or Shi Zhenzhong are “one and the same person” based on a Bureau of Immigration (BI) Certification, which Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros presented during her privilege speech on Wednesday.The document states that the fingerprints in Sy’s Philippine passport matched with Chen’s fingerprints in his visa application under Republic Act 7919 or the Alien Social Integration Act.“By virtue of this law, he was granted an alien certificate registration identity card (ACR I-card) identifying him as a citizen of China!” Hontiveros said.  <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/26/sec-says-monitoring-case-vs-global-ferronickel-chairman-1710">SEC says monitoring case vs Global Ferronickel chairman</a></div>“Kumpirmado yan. Hindi haka-haka. Hindi madadaya ng AI. At kahit hindi tayo mga fingerprint expert, hindi naman siguro made-deny pag pinagtabi ang photo niya dito sa ACR at ang kanyang passport na ang Chinese na si Chen Zhong Zhen at ang ‘diumanong Pilipino na si Joseph Sy ay one and the same,” she added.Hontiveros continued, “Ang sinasabi nila, mayroon namang findings ang BI dati. Pilipino daw siya dahil may passport naman at late-registered birth certificate. Pero, hindi ba Mr. President, ganoon din ang ginawa ni Alice Guo? At the time those findings were made, his application under RA 7919 under the name of Chen Zhong Zhen was not known. Ngayon lang natin nalaman na, eto nga, nalusutan tayo.”Ousted Bamban Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is said to be <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/29/court-alice-guo-is-chinese-term-as-bamban-mayor-is-void-1114">Chinese Guo Hua Ping.</a>“Who is responsible for the registration of birth of Joseph Sy? Alam ko na ito ay isa na namang kaso ng delayed registration of birth, gaya ng kay Alice Guo. Sinong dapat managot, ang Local Civil Registrar ba o ang Philippine Statistics Authority?” Hontiveros asked.Based on Chinese websites, Hontiveros said Sy was born in Donghua Village, Jinjiang City, Fujian Province, China. He and his wife also allegedly help their hometown.“Edad 17 si Sy nang lumipat siya sa Pilipinas at nagtrabaho sa isang pabrika ng kahoy. Matapos niyan ay pinasok ang timber trading, tapos ay nag-nickel mining at smelting. Nang umangat ang negosyo, nabanggit na naman na nagbabalikbayan sila sa kanilang hometown sa China, sa pamamagitan ng Shi Zhenzhong and Gu Zhifang Charitable Foundation,” Hontiveros mentioned.<div>COAST GUARD AUXILIARY</div>Hontiveros again raised the alarm about Sy joining the civilian support unit Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) in 2018.He was appointed with the honorary rank of Auxiliary Commodore.“Volunteer basis ito, pero hindi naman yan open-invite. Mga taong vetted lamang ang nakakapasok diyan, in fact may mga taong years ang binibilang bago mapasali sa roster. Tapos si Joseph Sy, na nagkukunwaring Pinoy, ang bilis na nga naproseso, at ayon sa aming napag-alaman, nagka-ranggo pa!” Hontiveros said.She is particularly worried because she said the PCGA has access to sensitive maritime spaces.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/27/pcg-tightens-vetting-of-auxiliary-members-after-discovering-chinese-nationals-in-roster-1524">PCG says &#x27;stepping up&#x27; vetting of auxiliary members after discovering Chinese nationals within ranks</a></div>“What does he know now about our Coast Guard operations? Our waters, our ports, our maritime vulnerabilities? May pa-party-party pa sa mga Coast Guard!” Hontiveros stated. “Hindi ba tayo kinikilabutan na sa gitna ng tensyon natin sa China, may isang tulad ni Joseph Sy, a foreign national masquerading as Filipino, ang may access, kahit pa social access lang, sa mismong PCG?”“At a time when the West Philippine Sea is a constant flashpoint of foreign incursions, yung mga ganitong klaseng butas sa ating seguridad ay hindi na po katanggap-tanggap.”The PCG said it has delisted Sy, an act which Hontiveros thanked. <div>MINING</div>Hontiveros also pointed out that Filipinos are at a disadvantage over the country’s own minerals since Sy’s company, the leading exporter of raw nickel, exports to China.She also enumerated several alleged violations of Sy’s other companies.“Sa Palawan, iyang kompanya ni Joseph Sy na Ipilan Nickel Corporation (INC), ay nag-o-operate kahit walang municipal mayor’s permit at kahit nakansela ang Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) ni former DENR Secretary Gina Lopez. Kahit na-suspend ang ECC ay nagpatuloy pa rin ang nasabing minahan sa pagpuputol ng mga punong kahoy,” Hontiveros stated.There are also complaints about supposed pollution in Brooke’s Point.SY’s Platinum Group Metals Corporation in Surigao del Norte, meanwhile, is reportedly being investigated for siltation and pollution.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/25/mining-group-calls-for-release-of-businessman-held-by-immigration-1939">Mining group calls for release of businessman held by Immigration as senator likens him to Alice Guo</a></div>“Unsafe mining practices, yan ang lumalabas na tatak Joseph Sy,” Hontiveros remarked.She also disclosed that Sy is the honorary Chairman of the Philippine Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce, which supposedly has deep ties to the Communist Party of China and the Belt and Road initiative.Hontiveros urged the Senate to investigate Sy by filing Senate Resolution 93.Amid warnings of some groups that the mining industry will allegedly take a hit because of what happened to Sy, Hontiveros clarified that she is not anti-business.“I am not anti-business. I am not anti-investment. I am for the rule of law and for protecting Filipino citizenship from those who do not have a legitimate claim to it.”Mining industry group, Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) earlier said that Sy, who is chairman of the mining company Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI), is a Filipino citizen whose citizenship has been affirmed.PNIA President Dante Bravo said Sy was “unlawfully arrested” and put under “illegal detention.”

Businessman Joseph Sy and Chinese citizen Chen Zhong Zhen or Shi Zhenzhong are “one and the same person” said Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros.

Businessman Joseph Sy and Chinese citizen Chen Zhong Zhen or Shi Zhenzhong are “one and the same person” said Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros.