InfinitUs Marketing Solutions, the firm accused of being contracted by the Chinese Embassy to hire trolls, clarified on Monday that the P930,000 check they received from the embassy was for an event in 2023, not for disinformation efforts.
During a hearing by the Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones, Senator Francis Tolentino questioned InfinitUs CEO Paul Li about the check issued by the Chinese Embassy.
Li explained that the payment was for the Awards for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU) held on June 8, 2023 at the Manila Hotel, an event attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and various companies.
Tolentino pressed Li for documentation, prompting the latter to present a September 2023 letter requesting additional payment from the Chinese Embassy for expenses incurred.
However, Tolentino raised concerns about InfinitUs’ procurement of COVID-19 antigen kits, face masks, and face shields, arguing that COVID-19 was no longer a pressing issue at the time. He rejected the document, questioning its relevance.
Li maintained that the purchase was requested by the Office of the President, and InfinitUs denied any association with the embassy beyond the event funding.
“I categorically deny the allegation that InfinitUs has engaged in any unlawful activity, including the spread of disinformation to influence this coming elections. The contract shown is not known to us, was never authorized by us,” Li reiterated.
Tolentino also directed the managing director of the Bank of China to show cause why they should not be cited for contempt after refusing to answer questions regarding the check.
The official invoked bank secrecy laws, stating that their compliance with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) legal primer prohibits them from confirming the existence of any bank account. (ZIA LUNA)
