The Presidential Palace of the Philippines officially announced that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has vetoed the citizenship application of Chinese businessman Wang Liduan.
Wang Liduan is accused of being one of the key figures in the Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) sector and is also suspected of having connections with the "Jiuding Group" and dubious gaming platforms. This decision has sparked widespread discussion in political and social circles, especially as the Philippines is intensifying scrutiny of the POGO industry background.
Passed by Congress but Still Vetoed, Presidential Attitude Draws Attention
It is reported that Wang Liduan's citizenship application had previously been approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines. However, before it was finally submitted to the president for signature, Senator Risa Hontiveros issued a warning, stating that Mr. Wang was associated with one of the largest gaming service providers in the Philippines and urged the president to treat this case with caution. She also pointed out that Wang Liduan did not disclose his connections with the online gaming industry during the application process.
Despite this, another senator, Sherwin Gatchalian, held a different view, stating that Wang Liduan "meets all legal requirements" and has "no bad record," supporting his smooth naturalization. The differing stances of the two senators also reveal a clear split in the Philippine political scene regarding the attitude towards the POGO industry.
Ultimately, President Marcos vetoed the bill, and although no specific reasons were publicly disclosed, the deputy press secretary of the Presidential Palace, Claire Castro, confirmed via text message to the media that Wang Liduan's naturalization case and another concerning the charter amendment of Baguio City were both rejected.
Continuous Controversy: Wang Liduan's Background Under Scrutiny
Public records show that Wang Liduan (also known as Mark Wang) is one of the key operators of the "Jiuding Group" in the Philippines. The group is accused of having personnel crossover and business connections with a POGO company in Pasay City, "Rivendell," suspected of illegal gaming operations, which has attracted close attention from Philippine law enforcement agencies.
It is rumored that Wang did not detail his connections with the gaming business when submitting his citizenship application. Some opponents believe that this concealment violates the principle of integrity required for foreigners applying for citizenship and may pose a potential threat to national security.
Baguio City Charter Amendment Also Rejected, Autonomy Concerns Arise
Along with Wang Liduan's naturalization case, a legislative proposal involving the charter amendment of Baguio City was also vetoed. This proposal aimed to address technical defects in the current charter, but the Presidential Palace believes it could threaten Baguio City's autonomy in land and real estate management, even undermining its status as a "Highly Urbanized City" (HUC).
Some analysts point out that if the amendment were passed, land distribution and resource management authority might shift to the central government or other institutions, thereby harming local autonomy.
Political and Social Reactions: Calls for Strengthening Scrutiny Mechanisms Intensify
After President Marcos vetoed the two bills, several members of the legislative body expressed understanding and support, calling for strengthened scrutiny of foreign citizenship applications to ensure national security is not compromised. At the same time, there are views that the government should continue to heighten vigilance against potential risks in the POGO industry, especially against the backdrop of illegal capital flows, labor exploitation, and frequent security issues.
Local officials in Baguio City expressed hope that the central and local governments could engage in more dialogue on future charter amendments to ensure that related policies meet public opinion and city development needs.
