Metro Manila, Philippines – Businessman Joseph Sy has resigned as director of Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. amid issues with his citizenship.
The company announced on Friday, Dec. 26, that Sy will step down effective immediately.
“His decision was due to personal considerations and for the best interests of the Company,” the mining firm said in its disclosure. “The Company expresses its appreciation for Mr. Sy’s service and contributions during his tenure.”
In August, the businessman took a voluntary leave of absence.
Sy faced a Senate committee hearing on Dec. 15, where he was grilled on whether he was Chinese national Chen Zhong Zhen or Shi Zhenzong, based on the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) fingerprint analysis.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who led the hearing, called him the “Alice Guo 2.0.”
Guo, the dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor, was accused as a Chinese spy and was found involved in illegal offshore gaming operations in her town.
The BI arrested Sy at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Aug. 21 for allegedly using illegally acquired Philippine documents. He was detained at the BI facility at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation.
The bureau has appealed the Court of Appeals decision to release Sy.
Earlier, the Taguig Regional Trial Court ordered Sy’s release from BI custody as it affirmed his Filipino citizenship.
During the Senate hearing, Sy confirmed he was the honorary chairperson of the Philippine Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce but said it has no relation to China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the Chinese Communist Party.
Sy was also a former honorary consul of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Davao.
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