Marcos vetoes Chinese entrepreneur's naturalization, Baguio Charter bill

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has vetoed two proposed measures: one granting Chinese entrepreneur Li Duan Wang Filipino citizenship and another revising the Baguio City Charter.

Wang's naturalization proposal faced criticism due to alleged links with Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and questionable personal records, despite arguments from some senators that he underwent stringent screening processes.

The bill on the modern Baguio City Charter aimed to correct flaws in the existing charter but was also vetoed, potentially downgrading Baguio City’s status as an independent and highly urbanized local government.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros welcomed President Marcos' decision to veto Wang's naturalization bid, citing information linking him to illegal POGO operations and multiple taxpayer IDs, calling it a 'necessary and welcome move'.

Hontiveros emphasized that granting Wang citizenship despite these red flags would have set a dangerous precedent and sent the wrong message.

With this, Hontiveros expressed her belief in continuing to investigate and bring to justice other abusive personalities in the POGO industry who may be exploiting our laws and putting our security at risk.