By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Once reputed as “untouchable,” Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers on Sunday (12 May 2024) announced that former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s economic adviser Michael Yang will be invited by the House of Representatives in connection with the P3.8 billion drug bust in Pampanga.
Barbers noted that in a series of hearings, Empire 999, the company that owns the warehouse where the drugs were ordered to be stored, was found to be owned by Chinese nationals who also owned other companies together with other personalities who have been previously linked to anomalous activities under the past administration.”
The Surigaonon lawmaker gathered that Lincoln Ong, a Pharmally official and an alleged associate of Yang, was found to be an incorporator of a company with links to other companies including Empire 999.
He added that based on findings from Public Accounts Chairman Joseph “Caraps” Paduano, Yang was allegedly linked to Ong.
To find out a connection, Public Order Chairman and Laguna congressman Dan Fernandez moved that Yang be invited to the next hearing of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs chaired by Barbers.
(el Amigo/MNM)
