By Celeste Tamayo
MANILA — Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. rejected a bill seeking to grant citizenship to a Chinese businessman allegedly tied to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
“I am unable to blindly ignore the alarming and revealing warnings raised by our relevant national agencies that find the subject grantee’s character and influence to be full of ominous and dark consequences, if not of a clear and present danger,” Castro quoted the President as saying.
“Ang ipagsawalang bahala ang babalang ito ay tila pagsuway sa ating tungkulin sa sambayanang Pilipino,” Castro added.
Marcos, according to Castro, pointed out that granting Filipino citizenship to a foreigner is not only about giving legal rights to that person.
“Binubuksan natin ang buong karangalan ng ating kasaysayan, ang ating lahi, at ang ating pamana,” Castro said.
“Unang-una po nais ipaalam ng Pangulo na kung may kaduda-dudang interes at hindi naman bingi ang ating Pangulo para dinggin at pakinggan kung ano yung kanyang mga nakukuhang mga data or facts about supposed to be grantee,” the Palace officer added.
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