Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed on March 18 that Chinese citizen Li Duan Wang, one of the founders of the Philippines' largest offshore gaming service provider, which was shut down in 2019, has submitted his citizenship application to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for approval.
Hontiveros publicly opposed the bill granting Philippine citizenship to Wang Li Duan during a Senate hearing on the case of former Talabaan Mayor Alice Guo. She pointed out that Wang was one of the founders of New Oriental Club 88, which was once the largest online gaming service provider in the Philippines and was shut down by the government in 2019 for alleged illegal operations.
Despite the company's closure, Hontiveros stated that New Oriental Club 88 amended its corporate charter in 2020 to continue operating as a "special category of BPO" (Business Process Outsourcing) providing offshore online gaming services, and revised its charter again in 2024 to extend its duration.
"Wang Li Duan and his company have been trying to change their identity to evade regulation, and we will not turn a blind eye," emphasized Hontiveros.
Winston Casio, director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), confirmed at the hearing that Wang Li Duan indeed had ties with POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators).
"Yes, we have verified the relevant documents and confirmed that Wang Li Duan is indeed associated with POGO," Casio stated.
Furthermore, Hontiveros mentioned that on the evening of March 18, the Bureau of Immigration found Wang Li Duan in a building suspected of engaging in fraudulent activities.
Joel Villado, director of the Bureau of Immigration, confirmed this situation but stated that Wang was not in the raided office at the time.
"According to the information we have, he was in the building but did not enter the searched office," added Villado.
When asked why Wang Li Duan was in the building, Villado said that the Bureau of Immigration had not conducted an in-depth investigation and could not confirm his specific connection with the company being investigated.
In January this year, the Philippine House of Representatives passed Bill No. 8839 by an overwhelming majority, granting Philippine citizenship to Wang Li Duan. However, due to his historical ties with the POGO industry, Hontiveros raised serious concerns about the bill, suggesting that Wang might still be involved in illegal gambling activities and could potentially affect national security.
The bill has now been submitted to President Marcos, and the final decision will be made by the President to approve or veto. Hontiveros called on the government to handle this case cautiously to avoid potential legal and economic risks in the future.
