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Advocates Philippines
'Team Pilipinas Tayo, Not Team China!': House Leader Blasts China-Backed Candidates In May Elections
Photo credit: Congress PH
By Team Pilipinas Tayo
As the May elections loom, House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union isn't mincing words: foreign interference is knocking hard—and it's treason.
On Sunday, Ortega sounded the alarm, revealing that credible intelligence points to an aggressive, state-sponsored effort by China to meddle in the Philippines’ democratic process.
“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,” Ortega declared.
The bombshell came after the National Security Council (NSC) exposed a covert plot during Senate hearings: a secret deal between the Chinese Embassy in Manila and a local PR firm allegedly running a troll farm aimed at manipulating public opinion.
Ortega didn’t hold back:
“May mga kandidatong tumatakbo ngayon na halatang may basbas ng banyagang interes. This is not just unacceptable. This is treasonous. Sa darating na halalan, we must reject Team China. Pilipinas dapat ang panalo, hindi ang banyaga. Team Pilipinas tayo.”
According to the NSC, Chinese-backed narratives are spreading like wildfire online—fueling anti-military sentiment, undermining elected officials, and pushing subtle pro-Beijing propaganda as voters prepare for May.
Ortega issued a clear warning:
“Let me be clear: kung may kandidato na kumakampi sa China habang inaangkin ang ating teritoryo, habang tinatarget ang ating militar at pamahalaan, hindi ‘yan lider. Hindi ‘yan makabayan. That’s a puppet, not a public servant.”
He slammed what he called a "well-funded and well-orchestrated digital assault," pointing to Chinese money allegedly being funneled into troll operations that spread fake news while tearing down Philippine institutions.
“This is an attack on our democracy. Binabayaran ang ating mga kababayan para siraan ang sarili nating bansa,” Ortega said.
“Sinisira ng Team China ang tiwala ng mga tao sa halalan—at ginagamit pa ang ilang kababayan natin para gawin ito.”
The lawmaker called on Filipinos to stay vigilant, especially against candidates echoing Beijing’s talking points against joint military exercises like Balikatan or defense agreements like EDCA.
“May script na galing sa Beijing. At meron tayong mga lokal na tumutugtog ng script na ‘yan. The Filipino people must reject them,” he emphasized.
Ortega urged quick action—criminal cases, tougher laws, and a united stand—to fight back against foreign tampering.
“Hindi ito panahon ng katahimikan. Panahon ito ng paninindigan. We must act now—before foreign powers succeed in choosing our leaders for us,” he warned.
He also assured voters that Congress, under Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, is ready to protect the elections and punish collaborators.
“Ang halalan ay para sa Pilipino. Walang lugar dito ang mga banyagang interes na nais tayong hatiin at pahinain. Hindi natin papayagan na ang kinabukasan ng bayan ay diktahan ng banyaga. Team Pilipinas tayo—buo, matatag, at handang lumaban,” Ortega stressed.
As election day draws closer, Ortega said the choice could not be clearer.
“The choice in May is simple: piliin natin ang tunay na maka-Pilipino, o hayaang ang China ang mamili ng mga lider natin. For the sake of our future, our freedom, and our flag—we must choose wisely.”
As the May elections loom, House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union isn't mincing words: foreign interference is knocking hard—and it's treason.
On Sunday, Ortega sounded the alarm, revealing that credible intelligence points to an aggressive, state-sponsored effort by China to meddle in the Philippines’ democratic process.
“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,” Ortega declared.
The bombshell came after the National Security Council (NSC) exposed a covert plot during Senate hearings: a secret deal between the Chinese Embassy in Manila and a local PR firm allegedly running a troll farm aimed at manipulating public opinion.
Ortega didn’t hold back:
“May mga kandidatong tumatakbo ngayon na halatang may basbas ng banyagang interes. This is not just unacceptable. This is treasonous. Sa darating na halalan, we must reject Team China. Pilipinas dapat ang panalo, hindi ang banyaga. Team Pilipinas tayo.”
According to the NSC, Chinese-backed narratives are spreading like wildfire online—fueling anti-military sentiment, undermining elected officials, and pushing subtle pro-Beijing propaganda as voters prepare for May.
Ortega issued a clear warning:
“Let me be clear: kung may kandidato na kumakampi sa China habang inaangkin ang ating teritoryo, habang tinatarget ang ating militar at pamahalaan, hindi ‘yan lider. Hindi ‘yan makabayan. That’s a puppet, not a public servant.”
He slammed what he called a "well-funded and well-orchestrated digital assault," pointing to Chinese money allegedly being funneled into troll operations that spread fake news while tearing down Philippine institutions.
“This is an attack on our democracy. Binabayaran ang ating mga kababayan para siraan ang sarili nating bansa,” Ortega said.
“Sinisira ng Team China ang tiwala ng mga tao sa halalan—at ginagamit pa ang ilang kababayan natin para gawin ito.”
The lawmaker called on Filipinos to stay vigilant, especially against candidates echoing Beijing’s talking points against joint military exercises like Balikatan or defense agreements like EDCA.
“May script na galing sa Beijing. At meron tayong mga lokal na tumutugtog ng script na ‘yan. The Filipino people must reject them,” he emphasized.
Ortega urged quick action—criminal cases, tougher laws, and a united stand—to fight back against foreign tampering.
“Hindi ito panahon ng katahimikan. Panahon ito ng paninindigan. We must act now—before foreign powers succeed in choosing our leaders for us,” he warned.
He also assured voters that Congress, under Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, is ready to protect the elections and punish collaborators.
“Ang halalan ay para sa Pilipino. Walang lugar dito ang mga banyagang interes na nais tayong hatiin at pahinain. Hindi natin papayagan na ang kinabukasan ng bayan ay diktahan ng banyaga. Team Pilipinas tayo—buo, matatag, at handang lumaban,” Ortega stressed.
As election day draws closer, Ortega said the choice could not be clearer.
“The choice in May is simple: piliin natin ang tunay na maka-Pilipino, o hayaang ang China ang mamili ng mga lider natin. For the sake of our future, our freedom, and our flag—we must choose wisely.”
Apr 26, 2025
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