SENATOR Risa Hontiveros called on the Senate to deny Filipino citizenship to a Chinese national, Li Duan Wang aka Mark Ong, who has ties with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) actors.
During Hontiveros’ interpellation on the Bill granting Filipino citizenship to Wang, the senator showed photos of the applicant, seen beside Duanren Wu — the alleged brains behind the POGO in Porac, Pampanga, godfather of Cassandra Li Ong, and a wanted fugitive in China — during an exclusive 9 Dynasty casino grand launch in Clark, Pampanga.
“It should not inspire confidence in us Senators that Wang is an associate of a fugitive and a POGO boss embroiled in human trafficking. Sana suriing mabuti ng mga kapwa ko Senador itong background ni Wang kasi nagwawagayway ang mga red flag ng aplikante,” Hontiveros said.
“In his application for naturalization, Wang did not even disclose that he is the operator of 9 Dynasty junket group that has shared officers with Rivendell, an illegal POGO scam hub in Pasay. Nakakataas ng kilay na hindi niya sinabi sa application. Bakit niya itinago?” Hontiveros questioned.
The senator also uncovered that Wang, identifying as Mark Ong, represented himself as a Filipino citizen in the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the company Avia International Club, which he again didn’t disclose in his naturalization application.
“You cannot be a Filipino citizen while applying to be one. Both facts cannot be true at the same time. This clear lie already suggests bad faith on the part of the applicant,” the senator said.
Hontiveros then sounded the alarm about Avia International Club being associated with Yatai Spa, which is connected to self-confessed Chinese spy She Zhijiang. The senator added that Avia and Yatai share one building space in Pasay. In a document listing junket operators, 9 Dynasty also registers Avia Club Newport Pasay as its address.
The senator also questioned Wang’s possession of several TINs. His TIN in his BIR ID is different from his TIN in his foundation, JuanCare. Upon verification, the TIN that was used for Juancare is already cancelled. Wang, using the name Mark Ong, also has another TIN used for Avia.
“Sino ba siya talaga? Hindi po legal ang pagkakaroon ng napakaraming TIN. Kung mapatunayan po na sinadya niyang kumuha ng maraming TIN, pwede siya makasuhan sa ilalalim ng ating batas. There is certainly a need to investigate this person further,” Hontiveros said.
The senator also raised concerns over Wang’s affiliation with Philippine Jinjiang Yuxi Association, which is said to be part of the United Front work of the Communist Party of China.
“I question where Mr. Wang’s loyalties would be, if he is granted Filipino citizenship by the Philippine Senate,” the senator said.
Hontiveros terminated her interpellation yesterday, declaring that she could not, in good conscience, vote to confer citizenship on Wang.
“I am shocked that this person was able to advance so far in the naturalization process despite all the red flags in his background. Hindi po ito pamemeke lang ng birth certificate sa isang local civil registry sa probinsya. This one is right in the halls of the Senate and House of Representatives, harap-harapan. Huwag naman sana magpaloko ang Senado,” Hontiveros concluded.
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