De Lima wants deeper probe into Yang's links to Duterte, drug trade

Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday called for a deeper probe into former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang's connection with President Rodrigo Duterte and supposed links to illegal drug trade.

De Lima, staunch critic of Duterte, said there is a need to find out if Duterte is getting benefits from his relationship with the Chinese businessman.

“Sa panig naman ni Duterte, ano ang kapalit ng mga pabor na naibigay niya kay Michael Yang o sa mga nailapit nito sa kanya? Ano ang kapalit ng pakikipagkaibigan nya sa isang taong may kahina-hinalang karakter at reputasyon?” she said in her dispatch.

(Is there something more to Duterte's favors to Michael Yang? What is the benefit of his friendship with Yang, who has questionable character and reputation?)

“Kapag mahalungkat na ang katotohanan sa mga usaping ito, sigurado ako na malaki ang magiging mga pananagutan ni Duterte,” she added.

(If we find out the truth, I am certain that Duterte will be accountable.)

The senator's calls stemmed from Senate hearings which disclosed Yang's alleged role in financing the beleaguered Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, which has bagged multi-billion worth of government contracts, including the purchase of allegedly overpriced medical supplies for COVID-19.

Aside from this, the senator is also seeking to probe possible abuses in Yang's position as former economic adviser. She also wondered if it is linked to the supposed "onerous" contracts on infrastructure as well as loan agreements.

“Gusto ko ring malaman kung ano ang naging papel ni Michael Yang sa mga loan agreements na nilagdaan ng Pilipinas at China noong 2018 o panahon ng panunungkulan ni Michael Yang bilang Presidential Economic Adviser. Isa rito ay yung P4.3 billion Chico River Pump Irrigation Project na, ayon sa ilang mga sektor, ay isang 'onerous, one-sided'” na transaksyon,” she said.

(I want to know Yang's role in Philippines and China's loan agreements when he was still the economic adviser. One of which was the  P4.3 billion Chico River Pump Irrigation Project that according to a lot of sectors were onerous, one-sided transactions.)

Yang has been accused of being involved in illegal drug trade in 2019, according to dismissed  police officer Eduardo Acierto.

But, earlier, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Wilkins Villanueva cleared Yang on reported drug links in Davao City.—LDF, GMA News