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Neil Jayson Servallos - The Philippine Star
December 16, 2025 | 12:00am
The Senate Justice and Human Rights Subcommittee, chaired by Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros, conducts an inquiry into the case of businessman Joseph Sy and the reported abuse and misuse of government-issued identification documents and visas on December 15, 2025
STAR / Jesse Bustos
MANILA, Philippines — The case of businessman Joseph Sy remains a national security concern and should not be treated as a closed legal matter despite court rulings in his favor, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) said yesterday.
As the Senate commenced its probe into the alleged misuse of asylum laws and identification documents by foreigners, Sy was brought before the chamber to answer questions about his identity and citizenship but opted to invoke his right against self-incrimination for most of the queries.
During the hearing, Sy did not answer questions, citing his ongoing case before the Court of Appeals (CA), which had earlier ordered his release. He remains, however, in detention at the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
NICA director Ferlu Silvio said the agency views the case as extending beyond questions of criminal liability and into broader issues of risk monitoring, institutional safeguards and the protection of strategic national interests.
“The case of Joseph Sy presents potential national security considerations that warrant closed and sustained attention,” Silvio told the Senate.
Sy, who chairs mining firm Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc., was detained by the BI for allegedly holding fake passports and identification cards.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the core issue is Sy’s claim to Filipino citizenship, after the BI reported that the fingerprints found on Sy’s passport matched those of Chen Zhong Zhen, a Chinese national who applied for amnesty under the Alien Social Integration Act.
The law granted amnesty to foreigners who entered the Philippines before 1992.
Hontiveros questioned how Sy acquired Filipino citizenship and whether his identity was legally obtained or merely created to gain special privileges.
She noted that by presenting himself as a Filipino, Sy was able to join the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and gain access to sectors such as mining and resource extraction.
Silvio cited how Sy has undergone legal and administrative proceedings over the years, including a deportation case that raised questions about his citizenship and immigration status.
In that case, the CA ordered the BI to release Sy, a ruling Silvio said NICA respects.
“While the release reflects a legal determination on detention, it does not in itself extinguish broader security and policy concerns tied to identity verification and access to sensitive sectors,” Silvio added.
Silvio also cited a 2019 case filed against Sy in connection with his identity or civil registry records, which was dismissed due to lack of probable cause.
Despite these rulings, Silvio said NICA continues to monitor Sy in coordination with other government agencies, stressing that such actions are conducted strictly within the bounds of the law and the agency’s mandate.
