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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Who granted Joseph Sy PCGA membership? Hontiveros wants separate Senate probe on the issue

Who granted Joseph Sy PCGA membership? Hontiveros wants separate Senate probe on the issue

Published Aug 27, 2025 06:11 pm

At A Glance

  • Sen. Risa Hontiveros made the call in a privilege speech as the Bureau of Immigration (BI) readies deportation proceedings against the businessman over alleged falsification of his Filipino citizenship. The senator said it is imperative that someone should be held liable for granting Sy, also known as Chen Zhong Zhen, Shi Zhenzhong, more so as his connection to the nickel mining industry in the Philippines is questionable.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday, August 27 called on the Senate to conduct a special investigation into nickel businessman Joseph Sy saying it is important to find out who granted him membership to the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) unit.
Hontiveros made the call in a privilege speech as the Bureau of Immigration (BI) readies deportation proceedings against the businessman over alleged falsification of his Filipino citizenship.
The senator said it is imperative that someone should be held liable for granting Sy, also known as Chen Zhong Zhen, Shi Zhenzhong, more so as his connection to the nickel mining industry in the Philippines is questionable.
She said records show that Sy is involved in mining operations in the Philippines and raw nickel ore is shipped abroad to China, “feeding the industrial needs of other nations while leaving us with environmental degradation and local communities with little benefit.”
“Ito ay tahasang pag-atake at paglapastangan sa ating pambansang interes at seguridad. Pinaglalaruan na tayo si Mr. Joseph Sy aka Chen Zhong Zhen aka Shi Zhenzhong. Dapat may managot (This is a blatant attack and a violation of our national interests and security. Mr. Joseph Sy aka Chen Zhong Zhen aka Shi Zhenzhong is playing with us. Someone must be held accountable),” Hontiveros said.
“Ngayon, kailangan nating itanong (now we need to ask): 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 (I know this is another case of delayed registration of birth, like Alice Guo's. Who should be held accountable, the Local Civil Registrar or the Philippine Statistics Authority)?” she pointed out.
“Who granted him positions of trust within our maritime institutions? What is our criteria for granting membership in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary?” she asked. The opposition senator also said it is necessary to inquire what protections are in place to ensure that foreign interests are not embedded in the country’s extractive industries, which are meant to be under the heaviest guard by our government.

Hontiveros also clarified she is not “not anti-business” nor is she “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. I am for protecting industries that remain nationalized,” she explained.

“I urge our Senate to investigate these links thoroughly. Let us review the processes by which citizenship claims are validated and awarded.
“Imbes na kita at hanapbuhay, ang ibinigay ng mga kumpanya ni Joseph Sy sa ating mga kababayan ay mataas na baha, makapal na putik, at malawakang pagkawasak sa kalikasan. Panahon na para isarado ang mga butas sa sistema para sa pamilyang Pilipino na araw-araw kumakayod. Tama na ang palakasan. Nakataya dito ang dignidad ng ating republika (Instead of income and jobs, what Joseph Sy's companies have given our countrymen is high floods, thick mud, and widespread environmental destruction. It's time to close the loopholes in the system for the Filipino family who struggles every day. Enough of sports. The dignity of our republic is at stake),” she reiterated.
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) has called on the government “to address without delay” Sy’s case.
“We emphasize that Platinum Group Metals Corp. (PGMC), an affiliate of FNI (Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. is a member in good standing of COMP. As such, we speak out in defense of Mr. Sy, whose record as a staunch advocate of responsible and sustainable mining reflects the very principles our Chamber upholds,” the COMP said in a statement.
COMP insisted that Sy is a Filipino citizen, which was affirmed in two separate rulings by the BI itself. The chamber also said Sy has been known to advance responsible mineral development, ensured environmental stewardship, supporting host communities, and building investor confidence in the Philippines as a competitive and ethical mining jurisdiction.
“His detention sends a chilling signal to the business and investment community, undermining government efforts to position the country as a reliable global supplier of critical minerals,” they stated.

Related Tags

Joseph Sy Risa Hontiveros Alice Guo Philippine Coast Guard PCGA unit
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