President Marcos has called for a thorough investigation into possible Chinese interference in the country’s upcoming midterm elections, Malacañang announced yesterday.
In a media briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said, “This is truly alarming, and as ordered by our administration, we will intensify efforts to investigate this matter deeply to uncover the truth.”
This came in reaction to a National Security Council (NSC) report revealing “indicators” suggesting foreign political interference attempts, allegedly linked to China.
While it has not yet disclosed specific details, the information was serious enough to be elevated to the President.
The Chinese government, however, denied allegations of interference in the Philippines’ midterm elections, as raised by the NSC.
During a Thursday press conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun insisted that Beijing adheres to a non-interference policy.
“China follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ domestic affairs… We have no interest in interfering in Philippine elections,” Guo said.
Castro said that the NSC has not provided further details beyond initial findings.
“The investigation is ongoing, and we will continue coordinating with the NSC to obtain more information. This information was brought to the President yesterday. That’s why a swift and deeper investigation is necessary,” she added.
The midterm elections, scheduled for May 2025, will determine the composition of half the Senate and all seats in the House of Representatives, making them a key event that could shift the country’s political landscape.
Palace officials are expected to meet further with the NSC in the coming days to determine the scope and implications of the alleged foreign interference.
At a Senate inquiry regarding China’s submersible drones and alleged espionage activities, NSC spokesperson Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya suggested “there are indications that information operations are being conducted… are Chinese state-sponsored in the Philippines and are actually interfering in the forthcoming elections.”
Pressed on whether these operations aimed to support “pro-China” candidates at the expense of others, Malaya responded affirmatively.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has since been briefed by intelligence agencies on the alleged foreign interference, the NSC official added.
As this developed, Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas’ campaign manager, expressed concern over the NSC’s discovery of online disinformation campaigns which seek to secure election victories for candidates who are supportive of China.
“The right of every Filipino to freely choose their leaders—without manipulation, pressure, or foreign influence—is non-negotiable,” Tiangco stated.
“Any attempt to interfere in that process is a direct violation of our national integrity and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” he added.
For his part, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file criminal charges against the officers and members of the board of directors of a company contracted by China to promote its narrative on the West Philippine Sea.
Rodriguez made the appeal after Sen. Francis Tolentino revealed in a public hearing on Thursday that Makati-based Infinitus Marketing Solutions has been engaged by China for “keyboard warriors” that would put Beijing in good light amid the Philippines-China dispute on the West Philippine Sea.
“In general, these laws punish any Filipino who betrays or is disloyal to his country and who works against its national interest, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the lawmaker said.
