Trader facing inquiry over PH papers snubs Senate

MANILA, Philippines — Businessman Joseph Sy, who is facing questions over his Filipino citizenship after the Bureau of Immigration said his fingerprints matched those of Chinese national Cheng Zhong Zhen, failed to appear before the Senate justice and human rights subcommittee on Thursday.

Sy’s legal counsel, Alma Mallonga, told the panel that her client had a “genuine desire to participate” in the proceedings, but was rushed to the emergency room of Makati Medical Center earlier in the day.

READ: Joseph Sy birth registration: PSA probe found signs of fake documents

She suggested that he may have been under stress following his release from detention after more than 491 days.

READ: SC orders release Global Ferronickel chair Joseph Sy on P900,000 bond

Sy, the former chair of the Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc., a nickel mining company, was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in 2025 upon arriving from Hong Kong after authorities said he submitted fake records to acquire Filipino citizenship. —Keith Clores