(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vetoed the bill granting Philippine citizenship to controversial Chinese entrepreneur Li Duan Wang, citing serious warnings from national security agencies that the move might pose "clear and present danger."

In his veto message, read by Palace Press Officer Claire Castro in a press briefing on Friday, Marcos said he could not turn a blind eye to what he considered as "alarming and revealing warnings" from relevant government bodies.

"I am unable to blindly ignore the alarming and revealing warnings raised by our relevant national agencies that find the subject grantee's character and influence to be full of ominous and dire consequences, if not of a clear and present danger," Marcos said.

Also, the president emphasized that Filipino citizenship was a privilege, not something to be handed out lightly, especially when national interests might be compromised.

Marcos also warned against using it as a tool to further questionable agendas.

"To disregard these warnings is to neglect our duty to the Filipino people," Marcos said. "We do not hand out citizenship on a whim, and it should not be used to advance suspicious interests."

Furthermore, the president said that granting citizenship means more than just extending legal rights — it involves embracing the nation's identity and values.

"We open the full honor of our history, our people, and our heritage to the recipient. That person must, in turn, uphold the aspirations of the country," he said.

Wang's application for citizenship has drawn criticism due to his alleged links to Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) activities and a history of questionable personal records.

In January, the Senate approved House Bill 8839, which seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to Wang, on third and final reading, with 19 affirmative votes, one negative, and zero abstention.

Only Sen. Risa Hontiveros voted against the passage of the measure, emphasizing that she cannot, in good conscience, vote to grant Filipino citizenship to Wang.

During an earlier Senate subcommittee on justice and human rights hearing, Hontiveros described Wang as a "rotten product" of POGO.

Wang, also known as Mark Ong, is the alleged operator of the 9 Dynasty junket group, which has shared officers with Rivendell, a POGO hub in Pasay involved in illegal activities.

Castro said that despite Congress' decision favoring Wang, the president was not convinced that the Chinese national deserved to be granted Filipino citizenship.

"First of all, the president wants to say that if there are questionable interests, he is not deaf to listen and look at the data or facts about those supposed to be grantees," Castro said.

"And that's all, we will not give away Philippine citizenship if the so-called grantee has dubious interests," she added.

Baguio charter amendment

Meanwhile, Marcos also vetoed the proposed measure revising the 112-year-old charter of Baguio City.

The bill on modern Baguio City Charter aims to correct flaws seen to downgrade the city's status as an independent, highly urbanized local government, and for granting another agency power in the titling of properties.

The original charter of the city was crafted in 1909 by the late Justice George Malcolm as a rest and relaxation area for the Americans.