Taguig City Regional Trial Court Affirms Joseph Sy’s Filipino Citizenship, Declares Detention Illegal, and Orders His Immediate Release

​In a PSE disclosure, Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. informs the Exchange and the investing public that the Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 271, has granted the petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed on behalf of the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Joseph C. Sy.

The RTC ruled that the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has no jurisdiction to detain or deport Mr. Sy, affirmed his status as a Filipino citizen, and ordered his “immediate” release.

In its Decision, the RTC gave weight to Mr. Sy’s birth certificate, Philippine passports, and related evidence as “superior” proof of citizenship. Citing jurisprudence, it held that the BI is “bound” by its prior rulings dismissing deportation cases against him.

The RTC’s findings are consistent with earlier determinations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Justice, the Office of the President, the Supreme Court, and the BI itself.

For the guidance of the investing public, the statement of Mr. Sy’s legal counsel is attached below.