MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has vetoed a proposed law granting Filipino citizenship to controversial Chinese national Li Duan Wang, saying he cannot ignore alarming and revealing warnings raised by relevant national agencies. 

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro quoted Marcos Jr.’s veto message where he said that he could not set aside the red flags raised by Philippine authorities on Wang’s character and influence, which he found “full of ominous and dire consequences, if not of a clear and present danger.”

“Ayon sa Pangulo, ang ipagsawalang-bahala ang babalang ito ay tila pagsuway sa ating tungkulin sa sambayanang Pilipino. Ang Filipino citizenship ay isang pribilehyo at hindi ipinamimigay nang basta-basta. Hindi din ito dapat gawing kasangkapan upang pagbigyan ang pagsulong ng mga kaduda-dudang interes,” Castro said in a press briefing.

“Sinabi rin ng Pangulo na kapag tayo ay nagbigay ng Filipino citizenship, higit pa sa mga legal na karapatan ang ating ibinibigay. Binubuksan natin ang buong karangalan ng ating kasaysayan, ang ating lahi, at ang ating pamana. Kaya dapat ang tatanggap nito ay sumasailalim din sa mga adhikain ng ating bayan,” she added.

Senate grants Filipino citizenship to Chinese man despite 'red flags'

In January, the Senate approved House Bill 8839, which seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to Li, on third and final reading, with a vote of 19-1.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros opposed Li’s naturalization bid, citing information linking him to the illegal operation of POGOs in the country.

But other senators such as Sherwin Gatchalian and JV Ejercito defended the naturalization bill, saying the Chinese man underwent stringent screening and vetting.

Gatchalian says no proof Li Duan Wang has POGO links

“Nais ipaalam ng Pangulo na kung may mga kaduda-dudang interes, at hindi naman po bingi ang ating Pangulo para dinggin at pakinggan kung ano yung kanyang mga nakukuhang mga data or facts about supposed to be grantee,” Castro said.

“So kung nagkaroon man ng desisyon ang Kongreso na patawan o bigyan ng Philippine citizenship itong si Li Duan Wang, hindi po kumbinsido ang Pangulo. At yun lamang po, hindi natin ipamimigay ang Philippine citizenship kung may mga kaduda-dudang interes, yung tinatawag na grantee,” she added.

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