House summons ex-presidential adviser Michael Yang over links to multibillion drug raid

In a press statement, Barbers underscored the gravity of the situation, saying that their investigation has escalated “from a simple drug smuggling issue to a national security concern,” citing an intricate web of connections between Yang and other parties involved.

Barbers acknowledged Yang as the “financier of Pharmally,” the controversial pharmaceutical company tagged in another multibillion-peso corruption scandal that broke during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yang was then the economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“There is more than meets the eye. We intend to get to the bottom of this issue in order to find out if indeed the drug bust is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Barbers, chair of the House committee on dangerous drugs.

Barbers revealed that while other companies’ activities remain undisclosed, their incorporators have already gone into hiding and begun liquidating assets. He found Yang’s involvement in the large-scale drug operations as not surprising.

The lawmaker pointed to past allegations linking Yang to illegal drug activities during the previous administration. Recent hearings unveiled Empire 999, the company implicated in the drug bust, as owned by Chinese nationals with ties to other suspicious entities.

In a significant development on May 8, Lincoln Ong, a central figure in the Pharmally scandal and Yang’s interpreter, was found to be associated with a company connected to Empire 999.

Barbers clarified that the focus of their investigation is on illegal activities rather than legitimate business ventures conducted by Chinese nationals. Despite invitations and due process, key individuals have evaded questioning, raising suspicions of guilt.

“We have extended all invitations to these people and observed due process. They never showed up… There is a saying that flight is indicative of guilt. If they are really innocent, we urge them to come out and explain their roles in the labyrinth they created,” the lawmaker said.

The schedule of the hearing is yet to be announced. — Rio N. Araja