Hontiveros: Joseph Sy’s son has questionable identification

MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros flagged on Wednesday the alleged questionable identification of Joseph Sy’s son. 

In a privilege speech delivered during the chamber’s session, Hontiveros noted that foreign spies “are now widespread in our country” and that their intention is to influence all aspects of national policy to further the interests of the foreign government to which they have pledged their allegiance.

“I make this manifestation in the light of new and disturbing information that has reached my office on the case of Joseph Sy,” said Hontiveros. 

Earlier, Hontiveros called for a probe into the suspicious circumstances involving Joseph Sy — also known as Chinese national Shi Zhenzhong or Chen Zhenshong — alleging that he falsified his status as a Filipino citizen.

According to Hontiveros, Sy even joined the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary — a service-oriented, uniformed, volunteer non-government organization under the direct control and supervision of the Philippine Coast Guard Commandant.

READ: Hontiveros calls for probe into circumstances surrounding Joseph Sy

But now, another revelation unfolded, with Hontiveros claiming that Sy’s son named Johnson Cai Chen also has questionable identification. 

“The propensity for fraudulent representations of Joseph Sy has, apparently, been inherited by his children. The deception did not stop with him. Even his child has two identities, two citizenships, and two passports,” said Hontiveros. 

“Just look at his son, Johnson Cai Chen, who holds two passports. Take a look at this: a valid Chinese passport under the name Johnson Cai Chen, valid until 2031, and a valid Philippine passport under the name Johnson Chua Sy, valid until 2030,” she added. 

Hontiveros pointed out that in one birth certificate — the original one issued at the time of birth and registered on time in 1995 — it states that Johnson was born at the Chinese General Hospital, with the father listed as Chen Zhen Zhong, Chinese national, and the mother as Bao Han Cai, also known as Pauline Chua Chen, Chinese citizen.

However, there is another birth certificate, the senator noted, reportedly acquired through late registration and only registered in 2014. 

In this version, Hontiveros said the father is listed as Joseph Cue Sy, a Filipino citizen, and the mother as Pauline Cai Chua, a Chinese citizen.

With this, Hontiveros explained that Johnson Sy has two passports and two birth certificates, even beating dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.  

“As I’ve said before, dual citizenship is not allowed in China. You cannot be a Filipino citizen and still retain your Chinese citizenship. Alice Guo did not have two simultaneous active passports. Joseph Sy, to the best of my knowledge, does not have two simultaneous active passports. But Johnson does. Why? How?” said Hontiveros. 

“They said that everything is possible with the blessing of the Chinese Communist Party. If you work for them, anything is possible. Anything is doable,” she added. /das