The Philippine Senate’s decision to grant citizenship to Chinese national Li Duan Wang has sent shockwaves across the country. Despite glaring red flags, 19 senators approved House Bill No. 8839, with only one dissenting voice—Senator Risa Hontiveros, who firmly stood against this reckless move. The approval comes as the country still reels from the scandalous Alice Guo case, a chilling reminder of how foreign individuals with murky backgrounds have infiltrated our political and economic systems.
Have we learned nothing from the past? Wang, a junket operator with alleged connections to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and China’s United Front, has been handed the privilege of Filipino citizenship on a silver platter. Why are we rushing to embrace a man whose affiliations raise serious national security concerns? Are we truly prepared to gamble with our country’s integrity once more?
Proponents of Wang’s naturalization argue that he has lived in the Philippines for decades, met all the legal requirements, and has no derogatory records. Senators like Sherwin Gatchalian and JV Ejercito insist that Wang’s businesses are legitimate and that his family has deeply integrated into Philippine society. They claim that rejecting his citizenship bid based on mere speculation would set a dangerous precedent where anyone could be unfairly accused of criminal ties without evidence. But here lies the problem—when it comes to national security, speculation is not a trivial matter.
Wang’s close association with Duanren Wu, an alleged big boss of a raided POGO hub, is not a baseless accusation; it is a serious concern backed by records. His business operating in the same building as She Zhijiang, a self-confessed Chinese spy, is not a coincidence but a connection that is too alarming to ignore. His misrepresentation of himself as a Filipino named Mark Co Ong in official Securities and Exchange Commission documents is not an innocent mistake but a deliberate act of deception. If these connections do not raise alarms, what will? And if these are not enough to disqualify him from becoming a Filipino citizen, then what is?
Some may counter that these are just mere allegations, that Wang has not been convicted of any crime. But citizenship is not a right—it is a privilege. And privileges should not be handed out to individuals whose backgrounds raise even the slightest suspicion of national security risks.
We are not sentencing Wang to guilt—we are simply demanding that our government exercise caution. He is a known junket operator, bringing high-rolling gamblers to casinos—an industry that has long been intertwined with illicit activities, from money laundering to human trafficking. Let’s not forget that Wang reportedly used multiple Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs), a clear violation of Philippine law. If he was truly operating above board, why the need for multiple identities? More importantly, his connections to the Philippine Jinjiang Yuxi Association—linked to the United Front work of the Chinese Communist Party—should have been an automatic dealbreaker.
With the Philippines’ history of being exploited by foreign elements for illicit operations, do we really want to grant citizenship to someone whose background is riddled with so many questions? The risk is simply too high, and the stakes are far greater than just one individual’s citizenship. This is about safeguarding the country from further infiltration and ensuring that history does not repeat itself.
Critics may argue that Wang has been in the country for decades, with his children studying in exclusive local schools, and his business creates jobs for Filipinos. But let’s not be naive. We must ask ourselves: at what cost? This is not just about residency or economic contributions. We have seen this play out before, the connection of Alice Guo in Chinese crime syndicates, POGOs, and possibly even espionage should be enough reason to halt this reckless decision.
If Guo could slip through the cracks and operate at the highest levels of government, how can we be certain Wang isn’t another security risk? The Philippines has already suffered from weak institutions that allow foreign nationals to manipulate our system. The Senate should be strengthening our safeguards, not weakening them further by fast-tracking citizenship for individuals with questionable ties.
Moreover, this decision sets a troubling precedent—allowing wealthy and well-connected foreigners to essentially "buy" Filipino citizenship. Unlike naturalized Filipinos who have made meaningful contributions as athletes, scientists, or investors, Wang is simply a businessman in a highly controversial industry. This isn’t about prejudice but national integrity. The Senate’s ruling risks opening the door for individuals with questionable ties to gain citizenship by merely meeting legal requirements while concealing deeper concerns.
Above all, the responsibility now falls on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to veto this bill. If the President truly values the safety and sovereignty of the Philippines, then he cannot, in good conscience, approve the naturalization of someone so closely linked to the industry. We cannot afford another betrayal like Alice Guo. We cannot afford to be complacent while foreign nationals exploit our system.
This is not just about one man’s citizenship. It is about the integrity of our nation’s institutions and the future of our sovereignty. The Senate’s reckless decision sends the wrong message: that Filipino citizenship is negotiable, that national security concerns can be brushed aside, and that our leaders are willing to take dangerous risks without learning from past mistakes.
Citizenship is a privilege, not a right, and it must never be handed out like a business permit. Filipinos deserve leaders who prioritize their security, not ones who blindly approve measures that put the country at risk. If we let this pass, the next Alice Guo will not be an accident—it will be a consequence of our own failure to act.
Article: Ariane Claire S. Galpao
Graphics: Ramier Vincent Pediangco
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