CA orders release of FNI chairman

THE Court of Appeals (CA) ordered the immediate release of listed mining company Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI) Chairman Joseph C. Sy, the company said.

In a disclosure on Wednesday, the company informed the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) that the CA, in its resolution, directed the Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials and any custodian holding Mr. Sy ‘to immediately release’ him from detention, warning of contempt if they fail to comply.

The court also demanded that they report their actions within 5 days of receiving the Resolution.

“This clear directive from the CA not only reinforces the earlier Decision of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Taguig City affirming Mr. Sy’s Filipino citizenship and declaring that the BI has no jurisdiction to detain him, but also supports the long-standing legal presumption in favor of his Filipino citizenship,” the company said.

Earlier this month, the Taguig RTC branch 271 ordered the immediate release of the FNI chairman ruling that his detention by the BI was unlawful since he is a recognized Filipino citizen.

Presided over by Judge Paz Esperanza Cortes, the court granted Sy’s petition for habeas corpus, declaring that the BI had no jurisdiction to detain or deport a Filipino.

In response, the BI, with the guidance of the Department of Justice filed an appeal against the RTC ruling, citing strong evidence against Sy and requesting a review by the Court of Appeals.

In August, Mr. Sy voluntarily took a leave of absence to address legal matters related to his citizenship. At the same time, the board appointed a new chairman to ensure the company continued to operate smoothly during his absence.

Mr. Sy was taken into custody on Aug. 21 for allegedly holding fraudulent Philippine documents and having biometrics that matched those of a Chinese citizen.

At the local bourse on Wednesday, FNI shares rose by 3.73% or 5 centavos to close at 1.39 apiece. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno