NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Tolentino Calls Out IMSI: Denials Fall Flat As More Documents Link PR Firm To Chinese Embassy Troll Ops
Photo credit: Senate PH
Looks like Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino isn’t buying the denials from InfinitUs Marketing Solutions, Inc. (IMSI) — and he made that crystal clear at yesterday’s Senate hearing.
Despite IMSI co-founder Paul “Pin” Li’s firm denial of any social media deal with the Chinese embassy, Tolentino came armed with receipts — literally. One of the key pieces he presented was a document written in Chinese detailing the scope of a project involving “publicity guidance for the Chinese embassy” worth P930,000.
Coincidence? Not quite. That same amount was seen on a check Tolentino had previously shown, which was issued by the Chinese embassy to IMSI on September 11, 2023.
But here’s where things got even more questionable. Li admitted the check was real, but claimed it was for buying COVID-related medical supplies for an event held in June 2023. Tolentino couldn’t help but point out the obvious: “COVID? In June 2023? That’s way past the peak of the pandemic,” he said, clearly skeptical.
And just when the denials couldn’t get more shaky, Tolentino noted the absence of IMSI’s Filipino co-founder Myka Poynton, who could’ve clarified her signature on the service contract — a contract also signed by the Chinese Embassy’s media and PR director, Wu Chenqi. Meanwhile, the other Filipino incorporator, Christine Li, wasn’t summoned out of respect for her medical condition, which her husband Paul said was due to cancer treatment.
Still, Tolentino didn’t let up. He emphasized that IMSI’s troll farm operations appear to be alive and well — pointing to a recent photo taken at the firm’s Makati office. The image showed a recruitment poster looking for TikTok influencers with at least 200 followers. “Nagre-recruit pa sila ng keyboard warriors,” Tolentino said.
To top it all off, the senator revealed travel records of IMSI execs frequently flying to China — including Li, Poynton, and Ruby Gestiada — with trips dating as far back as 2019. Li insisted those were “mostly personal,” but Tolentino’s expression said otherwise.
As the investigation continues, one thing’s certain: Tolentino is far from convinced, and he’s not done digging.
Despite IMSI co-founder Paul “Pin” Li’s firm denial of any social media deal with the Chinese embassy, Tolentino came armed with receipts — literally. One of the key pieces he presented was a document written in Chinese detailing the scope of a project involving “publicity guidance for the Chinese embassy” worth P930,000.
Coincidence? Not quite. That same amount was seen on a check Tolentino had previously shown, which was issued by the Chinese embassy to IMSI on September 11, 2023.
But here’s where things got even more questionable. Li admitted the check was real, but claimed it was for buying COVID-related medical supplies for an event held in June 2023. Tolentino couldn’t help but point out the obvious: “COVID? In June 2023? That’s way past the peak of the pandemic,” he said, clearly skeptical.
And just when the denials couldn’t get more shaky, Tolentino noted the absence of IMSI’s Filipino co-founder Myka Poynton, who could’ve clarified her signature on the service contract — a contract also signed by the Chinese Embassy’s media and PR director, Wu Chenqi. Meanwhile, the other Filipino incorporator, Christine Li, wasn’t summoned out of respect for her medical condition, which her husband Paul said was due to cancer treatment.
Still, Tolentino didn’t let up. He emphasized that IMSI’s troll farm operations appear to be alive and well — pointing to a recent photo taken at the firm’s Makati office. The image showed a recruitment poster looking for TikTok influencers with at least 200 followers. “Nagre-recruit pa sila ng keyboard warriors,” Tolentino said.
To top it all off, the senator revealed travel records of IMSI execs frequently flying to China — including Li, Poynton, and Ruby Gestiada — with trips dating as far back as 2019. Li insisted those were “mostly personal,” but Tolentino’s expression said otherwise.
As the investigation continues, one thing’s certain: Tolentino is far from convinced, and he’s not done digging.
May 6, 2025
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