Recently, the Philippine Senate passed House Bill No. 8839 with 19 votes in favor and 1 against, officially granting Filipino citizenship to a Chinese citizen, Mr. Wang.
However, this decision has sparked widespread controversy in both the political and social spheres of the Philippines, especially regarding Mr. Wang's potential connections to the gambling industry, particularly with POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators), which has become a focal point of public attention.
The Core of the Controversy: Gambling Background and Security Concerns
Senator Risa Hontiveros, the only one who voted against, publicly questioned Mr. Wang's background, believing he is connected to Duanren Wu, the head of a raided gambling center in Porac, Pampanga.
Moreover, she pointed out that Mr. Wang's business was located in the same building in Pasay City as the "Asia-Pacific" group, which is alleged to have ties with She Zhijiang, a Chinese citizen suspected of espionage activities.
Hontiveros emphasized that the Philippines should be more stringent in scrutinizing the backgrounds of naturalized foreigners to prevent national interests from being compromised. She stated, "Should the Philippines continue to allow individuals with questionable backgrounds to easily obtain our citizenship and profit from our country?" She called for the government to strengthen the scrutiny of naturalization to prevent the misuse of Filipino citizenship.
She listed the following suspicions:
-- Mr. Wang was a gambling operator and had business dealings with Duanren Wu.
-- His business involved the Jinjiang Association, which might indicate a vast network of relationships.
-- He holds multiple tax cards, raising doubts about his identity information.
-- He has provided false identities to the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Differing Voices within the Senate
Despite Hontiveros's strong opposition, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed a different view. He stated that he had reviewed all relevant documents and found no concrete link between Mr. Wang and POGO or other illegal activities. He also emphasized that the Senate Judiciary Committee had sought information from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the National Security Council, and Interpol, and found no adverse records about Mr. Wang.
Gatchalian warned that denying someone's citizenship application without evidence could undermine the fairness of the legislative process and set a bad precedent for similar cases in the future. The government should base its review of naturalization applications on evidence rather than mere allegations.
He stated, "Allowing unverified allegations to influence decisions could lead to the abuse of the system and even become a tool for suppressing individuals."
Mr. Wang's Business Background: POGO or Casino VIP Rooms?
In the investigation process, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito consulted Gilbert Cruz, the director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), who confirmed that Mr. Wang had long been involved in casino VIP room services, not POGO operations. Additionally, Mr. Wang's children have been studying in the Philippines for a long time and are active in various Chinese community groups, showing his integration into Philippine society.
Senate President Chiz Escudero also stated that Mr. Wang's naturalization application was approved through legal procedures. He noted that the democratic system allows for differing opinions, but individual dissent should not negate the decision of the majority. He emphasized, "Democracy means the minority obeys the majority. Since the bill has passed, it is legal and valid."
Focus of Public Opinion: Is Filipino Citizenship Being Misused?
Although the Senate has approved the bill, Mr. Wang still needs to complete an oath of allegiance and obtain a naturalization certificate to officially become a Filipino citizen. However, this event has already triggered public discussions on the transparency and security of the Philippine naturalization process.
Some public opinions suggest that the Philippines should tighten its naturalization policy for foreigners, especially those involved in sensitive industries, to ensure national interests are not compromised. Additionally, whether government agencies have conducted due diligence in reviewing naturalization applications has also become a focus of public concern.
Furthermore, this incident serves as a wake-up call, raising more questions about regulatory loopholes in the gambling industry.
Whether the Philippine government will strengthen its review of naturalization in the future or whether this case will eventually subside, with Mr. Wang successfully obtaining citizenship, remains to be seen.
