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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BI probes citizenship of mining executive Joseph Sy's son Johnson Cai Chen

BI probes citizenship of mining executive Joseph Sy's son Johnson Cai Chen

Published Oct 7, 2025 03:44 pm
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has also started looking into allegations that the son of Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. Chairman Joseph Sy also fraudulently acquired his Philippine citizenship.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado said under investigation is Sy’s son, Johnson Cai Chen who is also known as Johnson Chua Sy.
“Dual identities are red flags. If proven fraudulent, they will be dealt with swiftly and firmly under our laws,” Viado assured.
He stressed that the BI will continue to uphold its duty “to protect the integrity of Philippine citizenship and our national security.”
The BI’s investigation of Johnson’s citizenship stemmed from the privilege speech of Sen. Risa Hontiveros who said that “Johnson Sy, the son of businessman Chen Zhong Zhen (Joseph Sy), holds two active passports -- one Chinese and one Filipino -- and two separate birth certificates with conflicting details.”
Hontiveros warned that the irregularities point to possible fraudulent citizenship and pose a serious risk to national security.
Last Aug. 21, the BI arrested Joseph Sy upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 from Hong Kong after the bureau determined that he is Chinese national Chen Zhong Zhen.
However, the Court of Appeals (CA) issued an order that granted Joseph Sy’s petition for the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus and directed the BI to release the mining executive.
The BI said that it will appeal the decision of the CA.
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