By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The House Committee on Dangerous Drugs has cited former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang in contempt and ordered his arrest after he failed to attend congressional hearings on the investigation of a drug bust in Mexico, Pampanga.
“In view of the attached CONTEMPT ORDER issued by the Committee on Dangerous Drugs on 10 July 2024 against HONG MING YANG a.k.a. MICHAEL YANG, you are hereby ordered to TAKE INTO CUSTODY and DETAIN HONG MING YANG a.k.a. MICHAEL YANG for contempt of the House of Representatives for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days pursuant to the said Rules Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation of the 19th Congress,” the detention order read.
Committee chairperson Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers and House Secretary General Reginald Velasco signed the order.
“We invited him to shed light and probably deny his involvement, but he never appeared before the committee and never took advantage of the invitation. Since he did not attend, and pursuant to our rules, we have to issue show cause orders. Even after the show cause orders were issued, and non-appearance continued, we are compelled to issue the arrest order against him,” Barbers said.
According to records, Yang left Manila for Dubai on May 12.
Despite this, Barbers said that the arrest order will alert authorities to locate Yang as “he will definitely be using his own passport.”
(el Amigo/mnm)