PR firm denies contract with China, being trolls | Pinakabagong Balita sa Pilipinas

PR firm denies contract with China, being trolls — Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino presents a copy of a check reportedly issued by the Chinese embassy to InfinitUs Marketing, purportedly to di...

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino presents a copy of a check reportedly issued by the Chinese embassy to InfinitUs Marketing, purportedly to discredit the Philippine government, during a recent Senate hearing. — File photo

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino presents a copy of a check reportedly issued by the Chinese embassy to InfinitUs Marketing, purportedly to discredit the Philippine government, during a recent Senate hearing. — File photo

MANILA, Philippines — The public relations company accused of being tapped by the Chinese embassy in the country to do social media operations in favor of China has denied that such a contract exists, adding that they are not internet trolls who use deceptive methods.

In a statement on Friday, InfinitUs Marketing Solutions insisted that it is a law-abiding Filipino company and added that it has no agreement with the Chinese embassy or any foreign government to conduct disinformation online.

The company said such accusations, raised during a previous Senate hearing, are false, defamatory, and endanger” their people and clients.”

“No such contract exists. We categorically deny having any agreement with the Chinese Embassy — or any foreign government — for troll operations, disinformation, or illicit digital activity. The alleged ‘service agreement’ is unauthenticated, unsigned, and completely unfamiliar to our company. It is, at best, a forgery crafted to fit a political narrative,” the company said on its Facebook page.

“We are not trolls-we are professionals. Our firm does not, and will never, engage in trolling, online harassment, or deception.  InfinitUs operates on a foundation of transparent, ethical, and data- driven communications. The reckless labeling of our services as ‘troll activity’ is false, defamatory, and endangers our people and clients,” it added.

The company was dragged into controversy after Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino revealed during a hearing of the Senate special committee on Philippine maritime and admiralty zones that the Chinese embassy allegedly contracted InfinitUs to conduct social media operations promoting China’s policy.

Part of the service agreement was to criticize those against the Asian superpower.  Tolentino even presented a bank check to show that there was a transaction between the Chinese embassy and InfinitUs.

According to the company, the check is real but “legal and justified.”

Due to the developments, InfinitUs said it is considering appropriate legal action.

“The check is real – but legal and justified.  InfinitUs lawfully provides services to a range of clients, including diplomatic institutions.  Payment for such services is standard and complies fully with Philippine banking, tax, anti-money laundering, and corporate laws,” InfinitUs said.

“What is alarming — and legally questionable — is the unauthorized public exposure of our financial records. This is a potential violation of banking secrecy laws, financial regulations, and data privacy statutes, for which we are consulting counsel and considering appropriate legal action,” it added.

Last April 24, Tolentino said the Chinese embassy paid for a “troll farm” under a contract with Infinitus, as the service agreement includes the provision of “keyboard warriors that will play a vital role in the overall effectiveness of the issue management project.”

Tolentino also noted that since neither China nor InfinitUs has denied the veracity of the contract, then indications show that the service agreement is legitimate.

READ:Tolentino bares evidence of China troll farm to discredit PH gov’t

The firm, based in Makati City, was invited to the Senate panel’s next hearing on May 5.

READ:Marketing firm invited to Senate probe into China-funded troll farm

InfinitUs, meanwhile, urged public officials to “uphold the constitutional presumption of innocence.”

“We urge public officials, media, and institutions to uphold the constitutional presumption of innocence, the sanctity of evidence, and the principle of fairness.  InfinitUs is prepared to respond to any legitimate inquiry within the bounds of law and decorum, but we shall not dignify reckless innuendo nor allow falsehoods to define who we are,” it added.

Aside from the service contract, China’s alleged attempt to interfere in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections was also discussed during the April 24 Senate hearing.

READ:China interfering with PH’s May 2025 polls, says NSC’s Malaya

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Tolentino asked National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya if there were any indicators showing foreign interference in the 2025 elections.  In response, Malaya said that there are indications that “information operations are being conducted or that Chinese state-sponsored groups in the Philippines are actually interfering in the forthcoming elections.”

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