By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(April 11, 2025) – Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Friday touted the decision of Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. to veto the bill seeking to grant Filipino citizenship to a Chinese businessman allegedly involved in a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO).
In a media briefing, Presidential Communications Office undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed that Marcos rejected Senate Bill No. 8839, which was seeking to allow the naturalization of Li Duan Wang. Castro said Marcos cited the “alarming and revealing warnings” raised by government agencies about Li.
“The president’s decision to veto a proposed law granting Li Duan Wang’s Filipino citizenship is a necessary and welcome move,” said Hontiveros in a statement. “The president’s veto is demanded by the weight of available evidence.”
Last month, Hontiveros was the only senator who opposed the naturalization of Li due to multiple concerns regarding his background and affiliations.
During a hearing in the Senate, she revealed that Li was an incorporator of New Oriental Club 88 Corp, the country’s biggest POGO service provider that continued to operate despite being shut down in 2019 for legal violations.
Hontiveros also pointed out that Li was associated with Wu Duanren, a fugitive in China and alleged “big boss” of POGOs. Wu was a top executive of Whirlwind Corp., which leased the land for Lucky South 99, Inc., a POGO raided in Porac, Pampanga in June 2024.
Hontiveros also flagged Li’s possession of multiple taxpayer identification numbers, which were reportedly canceled or inconsistently used across different entities.
“These are not small issues or minor technicalities,” said Hontiveros. “Rewarding Wang with Filipino citizenship, despite these red flags, would have sent the wrong message and set a dangerous precedent.”
Last November, Marcos officially imposed a total ban on POGOs through Executive Order No. 74 due to their abuse and disrespect of the country’s laws.
“We 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,” added Hontiveros.
(PM)
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