Chinese POGO tycoon Li Duan Wang awaits naturalization amid controversy

Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed on Tuesday that Chinese citizen Li Duan Wang, who is awaiting naturalization by President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., was an incorporator of New Oriental Club 88 Corporation, the largest POGO service provider closed in 2019.

Hontiveros highlighted during Senate hearings that despite being shut down in 2019, the company amended its articles of incorporation in 2024 to continue operating as a 'Special Class of BPO'.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission confirmed Li's ties to POGOs based on SEC documents shown by Hontiveros.

On March 18, Li was reportedly found within a building raided by the Bureau of Immigration due to alleged scam operations, though he wasn't in the office under investigation.

BI Commissioner Joel Viado stated that no direct connection between Li and the corporation involved in the raid has been established.

House Bill No. 8839 granting Philippine citizenship to Li was approved by the Senate in January despite concerns raised by Hontiveros over his links to POGOs, and now awaits Marcos's approval or veto.