Senators on Friday, April 25 called on the government to thoroughly investigate and hold accountable personalities and individuals who are attempting to influence political discource and eventually the outcome of the Philippine elections. 

They made the call after Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino exposed China embassy’s purported links to local troll farm operations evidently to manipulate public opinion while advancing Beijing’s interest in the country. 

Tolentino, during the hearing of the Senate’s special panel on maritime and admiralty zones, showed a copy of a service agreement contract between the Infinitus Marketing Solutions Inc. and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of the Philippines.

The contract covers a provision of “keyboard warriors” or a “troll farm” that would discredit the Philippine government as well as certain political personalities. 

Although China has denied the accusations, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada said concerned government agencies must thoroughly investigate and hold accountable “those attempting to influence our democratic process, whether they are foreign entities or local collaborators.”

“Minsan na tayong nabudol ng isang Alice Guo. Matuto na tayo. Dapat maging mapanuri rin ang publiko sa pagpili ng mga kandidato at alamin ang kanilang credentials at personal backgrounds (We were once fooled by an Alice Guo. Let's learn from it. The public should also be critical in choosing candidates and learn about their credentials and personal backgrounds),” Estrada said in a statement.

Guo, a dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor, who is also known as “Guo Hua Ping,” has been accused of being a Chinese spy for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and is also facing charges of human trafficking over her alleged involvement in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). 

“Any potential security threats and foreign interference in the May 12 midterm elections constitute a serious affront to our national sovereignty and the integrity of our electoral system. The sanctity of the ballot must be protected at all costs,” Estrada stressed.

“We will not tolerate any foreign interference in our internal affairs. We demand respect for our sovereignty and the right of every Filipino to freely choose their leaders—free from any intimidation, manipulation, or coercion,” he further said. 

Senate deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros said the National Security Council (NSC) and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), should investigate the case further. 

“Our government’s security agencies, particularly NSC and NICA, should investigate further. Comelec (Commission on Elections) should also look into this matter, considering that foreign interference during elections is an election offense,” Hontiveros stressed. 

The opposition lawmaker also said the Palace should call for Ambassador Huang Xilian to shed light on the matter. 

“Malacanang must also summon the Chinese ambassador,” Hontiveros said.

“At the Senate, we should also work on passing the Foreign Interference Act into law because this will not be the last elections that China, or any other State, could meddle with,” she further warned.

Hontiveros also said any Filipino also found to be colluding with foreign powers must be held accountable. 

“This is a serious national security concern that undermines the integrity not just of our national elections, but also of our democracy,” she stressed.

Sen. Joel Villanueva also warned that any foreign interference “especially in our elections, is an affront to our democracy.” 

“The NSC should conduct a thorough threat assessment and ensure that effective countermeasures are in place,” Villanueva said.

“We must safeguard the integrity of our elections and protect our country at all costs,” he appealed.