During the Kapihan sa Senado forum yesterday, Sen. JV Ejercito said he has met these local officials in the provinces who do not look and sound like members of the Filipino-Chinese community.
"I have met elected officials whom I know are 'China men.' You would know. I came from a Chinese school and I can distinguish the accent and the features between Filipino-Chinese or Tsinoys and those who are foreigners from China," Ejercito said.
The senator thus urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to be more vigilant against candidates pretending to be Filipinos and prevent another Alice Guo from running in next year's midterm elections.
"They do not look like they grew up here. This is why the Comelec should be more vigilant and prevent another Alice Guo from being able to run again in our government," Ejercito said.
The senator expressed hope that the Senate hearings on illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) will result in the passage of a law that will "prevent non-Filipinos from becoming officials and protect the country from planted foreign agents."
He said allegations that Guo, the dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor, was a Chinese spy who faked her Filipino citizenship, should serve as a wake-up call for the government to be more vigilant against China's alleged infiltration in Philippine politics.
"We are in maritime conflict with China over the West Philippine Sea. We do not want to be infiltrated," Ejercito said.
The senator expressed belief that there was a "bigger fish" and that Guo was only a "pawn" of a big syndicate behind illegal POGOs.
Guo was able to give names during the executive session with senators, but she feared for her life, according to Ejercito.
For his part, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada questioned the credibility as witness of Mary Ann Maslog, an accused in the 1998 textbook scam who testified before senators that she helped convince Guo to surrender.
Esta historia es de la edición October 10, 2024 de The Philippine Star.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 10, 2024 de The Philippine Star.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Star-studded gala to serve as prelude to MMFF's golden edition
\"We're offering many activities to promote the Philippine movie industry.\"
HOW SAMANTHA PANLILIO IS MAKING HER MARK BEYOND THE 'HEIRESS' TAG
Samantha is one of People Asia's 'Women of Style and Substance' this year. She's also part of the publication's October-November issue cover.
Forest Lake builds legacy as premier memorial park developer
Forest Lake continues to uphold its commitment to compassionate care, innovative services and customer-centric core values - factors that, to this day, help the industry pioneer sustain its position in the deathcare industry.
MerryMart opens largest standalone store
The MerryMart Group of tycoon Edgar \"Injap\" Sia II has opened in Tarlac its largest standalone grocery, marking the 135th branch of its supermarket, with expansion in eight more on the line.
Vivant exits Watermatic Phl
Listed energy and water conglomerate Vivant Corp. is selling its 60-percent stake in Watermatic Philippines Corp. (WMP) to its joint venture partner, Israel-based WaterMatic International Ltd.
Figaro brews up slight name change
Food business Figaro Coffee Group Inc. (FCG) is no longer just brewing up expansion plans, but also cooking up a name change to include the non-coffee ventures in its portfolio.
HEADS UP, NEW GRADUATES: SM's job fairs got it all for you
SM J.O.B.S. continues to provide employment opportunities for job seekers, particularly to new graduates who recently entered the labor force. From July to September, SM Supermalls hosted more than 40 job fairs across the country, helping more than 25,000 job seekers connect with employers.
Digital banks face asset quality risks
AMID GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
Red flags and vital signs
HR: 57 BP: 110/70 RR:18 Temp: 36.4 This information is sent to me through our CG (group chat), which monitors the patient's condition. These are called vital signs. Vital signs are critical indicators of a patient's essential body functions and are routinely observed in hospitals to assess and track a patient's health status.
Aboitiz Foods opens $45-M Vietnam feed mill
Aboitiz Foods, the integrated food and business arm of the Aboitiz Group, inaugurated last week its $45-million modern feed mill in Vietnam as it seeks to solidify its footprint in Southeast Asia.