Joseph Sy attends Senate hearing after complaining of ‘chest pain’

Embattled businessman Joseph Sy on Monday complained of “chest pain” prior to going to the Senate to attend a hearing about the alleged falsification of his Filipino citizenship.

Prior to Sy’s arrival, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Legal Division chief Atty. Arvin Santos said that the nickel businessman was being checked by a doctor due to his concerns. 

“The commissioner has in fact issued the necessary travel orders for his escorts so that he may be brought here but around 10 or 15 minutes ago, we were informed that he complained of chest pains and our medical doctor is checking on him right now,” Santos said. 

Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the committee, said that she received information that Sy’s blood pressure spiked to 140/80 this morning. 

“Pero ‘pag kinlear daw sila ng doktor nila, papupuntahin naman sila dito (if the doctor clears him, he will be brought to the Senate). This is information from the commissioner. So I hope that Mr. Sy will arrive,” the senator said. 

Sy arrived in the Senate nearly an hour after the hearing started. 

“Nahihilo ako eh... Hilo ako, nahihilo. Sakit ang dibdib ko kanina… Nahihilo ako kanina, sorry,” Sy said. 

(I'm dizzy. My chest hurt earlier... I was dizzy earlier, sorry.) 

To recall, Sy was arrested in 2025 after his biometrics matched those of a Chinese citizen, Zhong Zhen Chen. Following this, the BI said it is preparing for his deportation proceedings.

However, in September 2025, a Taguig City court ruled that the detention and deportation proceedings against Sy are illegal as there is substantial evidence of his Philippine citizenship.

Last month, the Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed a ruling that declared the detention of Sy as illegal. —AOL, GMA Integrated News