By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos and Wilnard Bacelonia | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has warned of dire consequences if Filipino citizenship had been given to Chinese entrepreneur Wang Liduan, saying it may pose “clear and present danger.”
“I am unable to blindly ignore the alarming and revealing warnings raised by our relevant national agencies that find the subject grantee’s character and influence to be full of ominous and dire consequences, if not of a clear and present danger,” Marcos said in his veto message as he rejected Wang’s legislative naturalization.
The Chief Executive’s veto message was read by Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro in a press briefing.
Castro said Marcos believed that ignoring the warning is negligence of duty since granting Filipino citizenship is a “privilege” that could not be given right away to any person for their own interests.
“Sinabi rin ng Pangulo na kapag tayo ay nagbigay ng Filipino citizenship, higit pa sa mga legal na karapatan ang ating ibinibigay. Binubuksan natin ang buong karangalan ng ating kasaysayan, ang ating lahi, at ang ating pamana,” she said.
“Kaya dapat ang tatanggap nito ay sumasailalim din sa mga adhikain ng ating bayan,” Castro added.
Wang, also known as Mark Ong, allegedly has links to Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) activities and questionable personal records.
He is the alleged operator of the 9 Dynasty junket group, which has shared officials with Rivendell, a POGO hub in Pasay involved in illegal activities.
However, his proposed naturalization was approved by Congress, as he allegedly complied with all legal requirements and has no derogatory records.
Castro stressed that despite Congress’ decision favoring Wang, Marcos is not convinced that the Chinese national deserves to be granted Filipino citizenship.
“Unang-una po, nais ipaalam ng Pangulo na kung may mga kaduda-dudang interes, hindi naman po bingi ang ating Pangulo para dinggin at pakinggan kung ano ’yong kaniyang mga nakukuhang mga data or facts about supposed-to-be grantee,” she said.
“At ’yon lamang po, hindi natin ipamimigay ang Philippine citizenship kung may mga kaduda-dudang interes ’yong tinatawag na grantee,” Castro added.
Hontiveros: Rejection of Wang Liduan citizenship bid necessary
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros also welcomed the President’s decision to veto the bill, calling the move “necessary and welcome.”
“The President’s veto is demanded by the weight of available evidence,” Hontiveros said in a statement, citing Wang’s alleged ties to POGO, multiple taxpayer identification numbers, and reported links to the Chinese Communist Party.
“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.
Hontiveros, who had opposed Wang’s naturalization from the beginning, said the rejection upholds the sanctity of Filipino citizenship and reflects a firm stand for national interest.
She also urged continued investigation into other foreign nationals involved in the POGO industry who may be exploiting Philippine laws and compromising national security.
“It is in this spirit that I welcome and appreciate the President’s decision,” she said.
