Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday questioned businessman Joseph Sy’s absence from a Senate hearing after he reportedly sought emergency medical treatment, saying he should appear before the committee despite allegedly attending a party following his release on bail. Hontiveros also urged government agencies, including the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Statistics Authority, Bureau of Immigration and Department of Foreign Affairs, to strengthen coordination and conduct internal audits to prevent foreign nationals from allegedly obtaining Filipino identities through fraudulent birth certificates and passports.
The investigation comes after the PSA reported finding evidence of fake documents in Sy’s birth registration process. Hontiveros also warned that illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) may continue operating as underground groups involved in scams and disinformation campaigns, posing threats to national security and democracy.
