Voters urged: Reject China-backed bets

CEBU, Philippines — The 67 million Filipino voters must exercise discernment in choosing between candidates loyal to the Philippine flag and those whose campaigns are allegedly funded by China, an administration lawmaker said yesterday.

“We should be for Team Philippines. This is no longer just foreign influence. This is foreign interference—designed to infiltrate our politics, confuse our people, and weaken our country from the inside,” House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V said.

He made the remarks over the weekend amid growing concerns of foreign interference in the upcoming May 12 midterm elections, as credible intelligence reports point to a state-sponsored effort by Beijing to manipulate the polls and destabilize Philippine democracy.

“There are national and local candidates whose campaigns obviously bear the blessings of foreign interests. This is not just unacceptable. This is treasonous. So, in the coming elections, we must reject Team China. Let’s give Team Philippines a clear and resounding victory,” Ortega stressed.

Officials from the National Security Council (NSC) recently confirmed during a Senate hearing that an alleged covert agreement exists between the Chinese Embassy in Manila and a local public relations firm to operate a troll farm targeting Philippine institutions and the public.

“Let me be clear: If there are candidates who are leaning towards China, who has been encroaching upon our maritime territory by way of military might, then they obviously are not leaders. They’re not patriots. That’s a puppet, not a public servant,” Ortega said.

The La Union first district congressman condemned what he described as a “well-funded and well-orchestrated digital assault” against the Philippine electorate, noting that Chinese money was allegedly funneled into troll operations creating fake online personas to spread pro-China messaging while attacking the President, members of Congress, the judiciary, and the armed forces.

“This is not just a simple harmless online noise. This is an attack on our democracy. They have been paying our fellow citizens to attack our very own institutions and our very own interests. Team China has been undermining the whole trust of our countrymen in our elections,” he warned.

According to NSC officials, Chinese state-backed narratives are being amplified by local social media proxies who mimic Beijing’s rhetoric—attacking the Philippines’ defense exercises, undermining elected officials, and subtly conditioning public opinion ahead of the May 12 polls.

Ortega urged voters to stay vigilant and critical, especially of candidates who echo anti-Balikatan, anti-EDCA, or pro-Beijing narratives. “There’s a script from Beijing. And we have locals who have also been trumpeting those scripts. The Filipino people must reject them.” — Philippine Star News Service (FREEMAN)