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No direct proof showing Li Duan Wang's link to POGO — Gatchalian


There are no solid pieces of evidence that would prove Li Duan Wang's alleged ties with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Wednesday.

Gatchalian issued the remark after the Senate approved on third and final reading the bill granting Philippine citizenship to the Chinese national despite the "red flags" raised by Senator Risa Hontiveros.

"Nakita ko yung mga dokumento. In fact I went through it twice pa just to make sure... Wala akong nakitang hindi compliant doon sa requirements ng kanyang citizenship," he said in a virtual interview.

(I saw the documents. In fact, I went through it twice just to make sure ... I didn't see any non-compliant requirements to his citizenship.)

According to Gatchalian, the Senate justice committee has also sought certification from security agencies, which is beyond the basic requirements, to verify the background of Wang.

"Humingi sila ng requirements from the National Intelligence Coordinating Council, from the National Security Council, they also requested information from Interpol. So this is beyond the requirements na kasi meron niyang ganitong aspeto. May mga certification naman itong tatlong ahensya na wala silang nakikitang hindi maganda at wala ang negative reports from these three agencies," he said.

(They sought requirements from the National Intelligence Coordinating Council, from the National Security Council., they also requested information from Interpol. So this is beyond the requirements ... the three agencies gave certifications that they don't have any negatives reports.)

"Based on sa information ng committee at based sa investigation ng committee, wala silang nakitang direct links at proof, wala rin silang nakitang proof," he added.

(Based on the information of the committee and based on its investigation, they didn't see any direct links and proof.)

For Gatchalian, they cannot just reject the granting of citizenship to Li just because of allegations that are not backed by evidence.

Doing so, he said, might set a wrong precedent.

"I agree with her that we have to be very careful, extra careful in fact, sa mga taong may (there are people with) links to criminal syndicates. Not only POGOs, but links to criminal syndicates or links to criminality. But importante rin yung ebidensya eh," he said.

"Baka maabuso. (It might be abused.) If that will be the standard and the standard is without any proof or evidence, baka maulit to sa iba na kung may kagalit ka lang ay sasababi na ikaw ay link ka sa ganitong (it might be repeated, especially when you have a grudge against anybody and you'll be accused of any) criminality. So, unfair naman yun doon sa mga nag-a-apply (So it would be unfair to the one applying)," he added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News