FNI ownership shifts as detained chair Sy divests bulk of stake
Joseph C. Sy and Belle Bituin
Businessman Joseph C. Sy divested 31 percent of his ownership in Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. (FNI) to Senior Vice President Mary Belle Bituin, transferring the majority of his 43.5 percent personal stake in the company.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the company said the transfer swelled Bituin’s indirect beneficial interest in FNI to roughly 31 percent of the total outstanding shares, a substantial increase from her previously nominal holding of 0.03 percent.
“This development follows Ms. Bituin’s subscription to the unissued shares of Blue Eagle Elite Ventures, Inc., Ultimate Horizon Capital, Inc., and Sohoton Synergy, Inc., which are privately held corporations that collectively own shares in FNI,” the firm said.
It added that the ownership of FNI shares by these private entities remains unchanged. The subscriptions were approved by the respective boards of these private corporations in accordance with their corporate governance procedures and applicable law.
“These transactions do not involve any issuance of shares by Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc., and no changes are expected in the Board composition, management structure, or strategic direction of the Company as a result of this.
“Ms. Bituin has been part of the Company’s leadership since its listing in 2014, reinforcing management continuity and assuring investors of stability in direction and governance,” FNI noted
Most recent filings by FNI show that Blue Eagle owns 6.81 percent of FNI’s outstanding capital, Ultimate Horizon owns 6.94 percent, while Sohoton Synergy has a 17.72 percent stake.
Other Sy firms that have stakes in FNI include Regulus Best Nickel Holdings Inc. (10.21 percent), Bellatrix Star Inc. (0.94 percent), Alpha Centauri Fortune Group Inc. (0.33 percent), Antares Nickel Capital Inc. (0.21 percent), Great South Group Ventures Inc. (0.64 percent), and Red Lion Fortune Group Inc. (1.12 percent).
The large share transfer comes as Sy, the company’s chairman on leave, has been detained by the Bureau of Immigration since August over allegations that his Filipino citizenship is fake. Although the Regional Trial Court and Court of Appeals have ordered his release, the Bureau is holding him pending an appeal to the Supreme Court.