Filtered by: Topstories
News

Chinese seeking PH citizenship has no POGO ties —Salceda


Chinese businessman Li Duan Wang, who is seeking to be granted Filipino citizenship, has no ties with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) which have been banned since December 31, 2024, Albay Representative Joey Salceda said.

Salceda, one of the authors of the bill granting Wang a Filipino citizenship, made the response over the criticism made by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros that Wang should not be granted Filipino citizenship due to his ties to POGO firm boss Duanren Wu.

“Upon our own background check, the applicant was never engaged in the business of POGOs, and was never a business partner with the links now being made. Even the picture shown in the Senate was just some event where Mr. Wang was a guest,” Salceda, also the chairperson of the House ways and means committee, told GMA News Online in a Viber message.

“And besides, even the remotest link to POGOs cannot be prima facie evidence of anything nefarious at face value. POGOs were legal. And there were law-abiding, taxpaying, job-creating POGOs when they were allowed,” Salceda added.

Wu is one of the incorporators of POGO firm Whirlwind Corporation which is being investigated by the House QuadComm over alleged POGO-linked crimes, including human trafficking.

Hontiveros said Wu is a business associate of Wang. 

Likewise, Salceda said that the overwhelming majority in favor of granting Philippine citizenship to Wang was already telling.

“Allegations aside, no incontrovertible facts have been presented. That's why the Senate vote was also overwhelmingly in favor. In the House, we wrote to all concerned agencies for their opinion on the matter, and all of them made no opposing position. The hearing was public and on record,” Salceda said.

“The public had an opportunity to make manifestations to the body. No one opposed. So, we can only judge all applications made in good faith on facts,” Salceda added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News

LOADING CONTENT