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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Hontiveros hails Marcos' veto on bill granting Li Duan Wang Filipino citizenship

Hontiveros hails Marcos' veto on bill granting Li Duan Wang Filipino citizenship

Published Apr 11, 2025 03:34 am

At A Glance

  • Senator Risa Hontiveros welcomed President Marcos' decision to veto a proposed law granting Li Duan Wang's Filipino citizenship, calling it a "necessary and welcome move".

Senator Risa Hontiveros welcomed President Marcos' decision to veto a proposed law granting Li Duan Wang’s Filipino citizenship, calling it a "necessary and welcome move".

risa hontiveros.jpg
Senator Risa Hontiveros

"This shows our government’s commitment to protecting the sanctity of our Filipino citizenship," she said in a statement on Friday, April 11.

She added that the President’s veto was demanded by the weight of available evidence.

In a text message to reporters, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed that the President has vetoed Senate Bill (SB) No.8839, which sought to grant Philippine citizenship to Li.

From the very beginning, Hontiveros said that she voiced strong opposition to Wang’s naturalization because the facts were deeply alarming: the Chinese national held multiple taxpayer IDs, was linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operations, and was affiliated with a group reportedly tied to the Chinese Communist Party.

She stated that these all reflect bad faith on the part of the applicant.

"These are not small issues or minor technicalities. Rewarding Wang with Filipino citizenship, despite these red flags, would have sent the wrong message and set a dangerous precedent," she said.

"I firmly believe that rejecting Li Duan Wang’s application is a firm stand for our national interest," she added.

With this, Hontiveros expressed her belief that they must continue to investigate and bring to justice other abusive personalities in the POGO industry who may be exploiting our laws and putting our security at risk.

"It is in this spirit that I welcome and appreciate the President’s decision," she added.

Related Tags

Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) Li Duan Wang President Marcos Senator Risa Hontiveros
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