Senator Risa Hontiveros Exposes Red Flags in Senator Francis Tolentino’s Citizenship Bill for Li Duan Wang

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

On January 20, 2025, a heated Senate session saw a tense interpellation between Senator Risa Hontiveros and Senator Francis Tolentino regarding a bill seeking to grant Filipino citizenship to Chinese national Li Duan Wang, also known as Mark Ong.

As the bill’s sponsor, Senator Tolentino faced tough questioning from Senator Hontiveros, who scrutinized Wang’s credibility and the potential security risks of granting him Filipino citizenship.

Red Flags and Concerns

During her interpellation, Hontiveros highlighted several alarming issues that cast doubt on Wang’s character. First, she revealed that Wang is a "junket operator" for Nine Dynasty Casino, an establishment linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Wang did not disclose this affiliation in his naturalization application, raising concerns about why he chose to hide it if it was legal. (gmanetwork.com)

Hontiveros also presented photos of Wang with Duanren Wu, who is allegedly the mastermind behind a POGO operation in Porac, Pampanga, and a fugitive wanted by Chinese authorities. Such connections raise serious concerns about national security. (mb.com.ph)

Identity and Allegiances

Another critical issue raised by Hontiveros was Wang’s use of the name Mark Ong and his declaration as a Filipino citizen in the Articles of Incorporation of his company, Avia International Club—despite not yet being officially naturalized. This calls into question his honesty and loyalty to the Philippines. Additionally, records showed that Wang had multiple Tax Identification Numbers (TINs), which is illegal and suggests potential attempts to deceive authorities. (globalnation.inquirer.net)

Calls for Rejection

Given these serious concerns, Hontiveros strongly urged her fellow senators to reject Wang’s citizenship application. She emphasized that the Senate must not be fooled by an applicant with numerous red flags and potential threats to national security. She also stressed the importance of thorough vetting in the naturalization process to ensure that only individuals with unquestionable integrity and loyalty to the Philippines are granted citizenship. (gmanetwork.com)

Senator Tolentino’s Stance

Despite the allegations and doubts, Senator Tolentino remained firm in supporting the bill. However, faced with Hontiveros’ pointed questions and compelling evidence, he struggled to provide clear answers that would ease concerns about Wang’s character and intentions. His explanations were widely seen as insufficient to dispel doubts.

Conclusion

This controversy highlights the critical need for rigorous scrutiny and due diligence in granting Filipino citizenship to foreigners. Being a Filipino is not just a legal status but a privilege that should only be granted to individuals with unquestionable integrity and genuine love for the country. In the end, the Senate’s decision should prioritize the security and interests of the Philippines and its people above all else.