Home NATIONWIDE Chinese na humirit sa PH citizenship walang kinalaman sa POGO – solon

Chinese na humirit sa PH citizenship walang kinalaman sa POGO – solon

MANILA, Philippines- Walang kinalaman ang Chinese businessman na si Li Duan Wang, na humirit na gawaran ng Filipino citizenship, sa Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) na ipinagbawal mula noong December 31, 2024, ayon kay Albay Representative Joey Salceda.

Ito ang tugon ni Salceda, isa sa mga may akda ng panukalang paggawad kay Wang ng Filipino citizenship, sa pahayag ni Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros na hindi dapat gawaran si Wang ng Filipino citizenship dahil sa umano’y kaugnayan nito sa POGO firm boss na si 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,” pahayag ni Salceda, chairperson ng House ways and means committee.

“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,” dagdag ng mambabatas.

Isa si Wu sa incorporators ng POGO firm na Whirlwind Corporation na iniimbestigahan ng House QuadComm dahil sa umano’y POGO-linked crimes, kabilang ang human trafficking.

Sinabi ni Hontiveros na si Wu ay business associate ni Wang. 

Gayundin, inihayag ni Salceda na mayorya ang pabor sa paggawad ng Philippine citizenship kay Wang.

“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,” ani Salceda.

“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,” dagdag niya. RNT/SA