Michael Yang to attend Senate probe, requests interpreter —counsel

Published September 09, 2021 04:26 PM By HANA BORDEY,GMA News

Former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang is requesting for an interpreter as his lawyer confirmed that he will attend the Senate inquiry into overpriced pandemic supplies scheduled on Friday.

In a text message to GMA News Online, Yang’s legal counsel Raymond Fortun said that Yang is currently in the Philippines and will attend the investigation virtually.

“The hearing is virtual, he is in the Philippines,” he said.

Fortun also confirmed that they asked the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee if Yang can be accompanied by an interpreter.

Last Tuesday, the Senate blue ribbon committee cited Yang in contempt. It likewise issued a warrant of arrest against him

 and five officials of Pharmally for not showing up in the Senate probe despite the subpoenas issued against them.

Later that day, Yang, through Fortun, informed Senate blue ribbon chairman Richard Gordon's office that he will cooperate in the Senate investigation.

Senators are seeking information on Yang’s possible links to Pharmally.

Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corporation is a small firm that only had a paid-up capital of around P625,000 but secured over P8 billion worth of government contracts for the procurement of PPEs.

The Senate is currently investigating the DOH’s use of COVID-19 funds in 2020.

The probe is now focused on DOH’s transfer of P42 billion funds to the Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service for the procurement of face masks and face shields from different suppliers at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. — BM, GMA News

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