Michael Yang attends Senate probe on procurement of 'overpriced' COVID-19 supplies

Former presidential adviser Michael Yang, who is being linked to Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, appeared before the Senate blue ribbon committee virtually on Friday.

Yang, who skipped two previous hearings, was accompanied by an interpreter and his legal counsel, Atty. Raymond Fortun.

Apart from Yang, who was in Davao City, the five Pharmally officials who were likewise issued with arrest warrants are present in the Senate hearing. They are:

• Mohit Dargani
• Twinkle Dargani
• Linconn Ong
• Krizle Grace Mago
• Justine Garado

Last Tuesday, the committee cited Yang and the Pharmally officials in contempt for not showing up in the Senate probe despite the subpoenas issued on them.

Warrants of arrest were likewise issued against Yang and the Pharmally executives for their non-appearance.

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

Moreover, Huang Tzu Yen, president of Pharmally, has also taken his oath before the officials at the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, according to a source from the Senate blue ribbon committee.

Huang Tzu Yen had attended the Senate hearing last Tuesday. However, senators were not able to interrogate him due to legal concerns regarding the Pharmally official’s oath as he is in another  jurisdiction.

Huang Tzu Yen is currently in Singapore.

The Senate is currently investigating the Department of Health’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. --KBK, GMA News