THE Malacañang has expressed alarm over the reported interference of China in the country’s upcoming 2025 national and local elections.
In a press conference Friday, April 25, 2025, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has already ordered an in-depth investigation on the matter.
“Ito po ay talagang nakakaalarma at paiigtingin pa po natin ang -- sa utos na rin po ng ating administrasyon na imbestigahan nang malalim para malaman po natin kung anuman ang katotohanan patungkol po dito,” Castro said.
(This is truly alarming, and we will further intensify [the investigation], following the directive of our administration to conduct a thorough investigation so we can uncover the truth regarding this matter.)
In a Senate hearing Thursday, April 24, National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said there are indications that China is interfering with the country’s upcoming polls, particularly targeting those that are against them.
He said they already have the identities of candidates who China supports.
Senator Francis Tolentino said the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines also signed a contract with Infinitus Marketing Solutions Inc. for the organization of “keyboard warriors” who will be part of a troll farm that will openly provide information and convey the policies of the Chinese government.
China, however, denied such claims, saying it strictly follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ domestic affairs. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)