THE Senate approved a bill granting citizenship to Li Duan Wang, a Chinese national, despite concerns raised by Senator Risa Hontiveros. The vote was 19 in favor and 1 against. The bill mandates Wang to take an oath of allegiance and receive a certificate of naturalization.
Hontiveros vehemently opposed the bill, citing parallels to previous cases of Chinese nationals deceiving the Philippines for personal gain. She referenced Guo Hua Ping (Alice Guo) and Yang Jianxin (Tony Yang), highlighting the damage caused by foreigners exploiting the system under false pretenses. Hontiveros questioned the wisdom of granting citizenship to someone who allegedly concealed crucial information from Congress.
Hontiveros presented several “red flags” regarding Wang’s background:
- Alleged Junket Operator: Wang’s purported role as a junket operator raised concerns.
- Ties to Duanren Wu: His alleged connection to Duanren Wu, identified as the “big boss” of a raided POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) hub in Porac, Pampanga, further fueled suspicion.
- Business Proximity to Chinese Spy: Wang’s business was located in the same building as a firm linked to She Zhijiang, a confessed Chinese spy featured in an Al Jazeera documentary.
- Jinjiang Yuxi Association Connection: His association with the Jinjiang Yuxi Association, reportedly linked to the United Front Work of the Chinese Communist Party, raised concerns about potential influence.
- False Identification: Hontiveros also pointed out Wang’s alleged use of a false Filipino identity with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
While Hontiveros clarified she wasn’t accusing Wang of specific crimes, she argued that the red flags were sufficient to warrant a more thorough investigation before granting citizenship. She emphasized the need to learn from past mistakes and avoid repeating them.
