Admin bets warn vs Chinese ‘interference’

Senatorial candidates from Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas on Friday warned of increasing foreign efforts to influence the 2025 midterm elections, particularly from China, and urged voters to elect leaders aligned with the Filipino people.

“It’s too obvious that China is interfering, even in the elections, based on reports from the National Security Council and NICA (National Intelligence Coordinating Agency). It’s hard to deny,” former Senate President Vicente Sotto III said.

Sotto pledged to oppose any attempts to revive policies serving foreign interests, specifically mentioning the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.

"I will ensure that the Philippine Maritime Zones Act is not repealed. Pro-China senators want that. I will not allow it," he added.

Meantime, former Senator Panfilo Lacson called for an update to the country's anti-espionage law, Commonwealth Act No. 616 of 1941, saying it is outdated.

“It’s about time we amend or repeal this very old legislation to be attuned to the times,” Lacson said, noting the absence of social media and modern information technology when the law was enacted.

Former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, on the other hand, warned that election interference extends beyond spying to include information warfare and questionable funding.

“The Philippines is for Filipinos. No foreigner can interfere in our elections,” Abalos said.