Julia Christine Botin

Alleged China-backed Makati firm behind election meddling may face treason charges: lawmaker

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — A Makati-based firm allegedly tapped by the Chinese Embassy to lead information operations to meddle in the upcoming elections may face treason charges, a lawmaker said Wednesday.Speaking on ANC, Sen. Francis Tolentino said InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc. could face treason charges and that &quot;some cybercrime laws&quot; could also be invoked.He also raised the possibility of looking into the tax payments of InfinitUs and its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission.Tolentino said at a recent Senate hearing that the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines hired InfinitUs to provide &quot;dedicated keyboard warriors&quot; for crisis and issue management. He said the firm had initiated campaigns criticizing the government and &quot;conveying the policies of the Chinese government.&quot;He showed a copy of a September 11, 2023, check for P930,000 that he said the Chinese Embassy paid InfinitUs.China has denied the claims, saying it has no interest in influencing Philippine elections. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/29/nbi-probes-makati-firm-allegedly-hired-by-chinese-to-meddle-in-elections-1645">NBI probes Makati firm allegedly hired by China to meddle in elections</a></div>&quot;Core here is they betrayed their citizenship,&quot; the lawmaker said of the company, which has already been subpoenaed by the National Bureau of Investigation as part of its investigation.&quot;Pilipino sila. Bakit sila nagpagamit sa China? Pilipino sila, bakit sila nagpagamit sa dayuhan? Pilipino sila bakit hinayaan nilang maging bahagi sila sa paninira ng sarili nilang bansa?&quot; said Tolentino.&quot;I look forward to seeing the day when we will be expelling some Chinese diplomats because of this incident. I look forward to the day when the Department of Foreign Affairs would really summon the Chinese ambassador and let him explain what they have done to our country,&quot; he said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/29/nbi-alleged-chinese-spy-may-be-intercepting-data-to-and-from-comelec-office-0114">NBI: Alleged Chinese spy may be intercepting data to and from Comelec office</a></div>

A lawmaker said Monday that the Makati-based firm allegedly tapped by the Chinese Embassy to lead information operations to meddle in the upcoming elections might face treason charges.

A lawmaker said Monday that the Makati-based firm allegedly tapped by the Chinese Embassy to lead information operations to meddle in the upcoming elections might face treason charges.