Senate panel eyes watchlist order vs. Michael Yang

The Senate blue ribbon committee eyes placing controversial Chinese businessman and former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang under the Bureau of Immigration's (BI) watchlist order.

Yang failed to attend Monday's continuation of the Senate inquiry into the allegedly overpriced COVID-19 supplies due to health reasons. His lawyer, Atty. Raymond Fortun, said his blood pressure "shot up."

Fortun added that Yang has been instructed by his physician, Dr. Jenny Adtoon, to "remain on bed rest for five days due to hypertensive urgency."

Because of this, Senator Risa Hontiveros inquired if a hold departure order has been issued against Yang.

In response, Senator Richard Gordon, who chairs the committee, said the hold departure order will be discussed soon, adding that he agrees to issue such an order against Yang.

"We will have to discuss that at another time. I have no qualms to request the court to do that," he said.

With this, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon suggested that the Senate request the BI for the watchlist order so that the panel will be notified if Yang attempts to leave the country.

"Just on that point, may we then suggest that we request the Bureau of Immigration through DOJ (Department of Justice) to issue a watch order so that if a witness who tried to leave we will be... the blue ribbon committee will be notified immediately," he said.

Following Drilon's suggestion, Senate blue ribbon committee oversight office management director-general Rodolfo Quimbo said they will "diligently" write a letter to the BI for a request.

The panel issued an arrest warrant against Yang when he first skipped the hearing despite the issuance of a subpoena. He attended the previous virtually from Davao City. 

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, in a statement to reporters, said they will issue an Immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) if they received a request from a "co-equal branch of government."

Further, Guevarra said the DOJ is preparing to issue an ILBO on Tuesday, September 14 against eight people involved in the Senate investigation.

As to the ILBO against Yang, Guevarra said they have not received an official request yet.—KBK/LDF, GMA News