Taguig court upholds mining exec’s release

MANILA, Philippines — A Taguig court has urged authorities to follow its earlier ruling to release mining executive Joseph Sy, who has been accused of fraudulently acquiring his Filipino citizenship.

The Taguig Regional Trial Court yesterday granted the “very urgent motion for execution pending appeal and admission to post bond ad cautelam,” according to listed mining firm Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. (FNI), which is chaired by Sy.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, FNI said the court issued the writ after citing the Bureau of Immigration’s “glaring lack of execution” of an earlier habeas corpus ruling that called for Sy’s release.

Judge Paz Esperanza Cortes of the Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 271 granted Sy’s petition on Sept. 4.

“This ruling constitutes a judicial affirmation that Mr. Sy’s continued detention had no legal basis and upholds his fundamental rights as a Filipino citizen,” FNI said.

Immigration officials detained Sy on Aug. 21 following accusations of misrepresenting his Filipino citizenship.

Sy has been compared to detained former Bamban mayor Alice Guo, an alleged Chinese spy.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) yesterday backed Sy’s release, warning that his continued detention despite a court order could damage investor confidence.

Sy chairs the PCCI’s mining industry committee.

“The Philippines is suffering in other sectors such as tourism due to the uncertainties in the country’s business environment as a result of inconsistencies in policy implementation and adherence to the rule of law,” the group said.