Michael Yang
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Wednesday said that nothing can be done on the appointment of Chinese businessman Michael Yang as President Rodrigo Duterte’s consultant since it is the prerogative of the executive department.
Malacañang on Tuesday confirmed that Yang is “just one of the advisers that the President consults on particular matters.”
READ: Palace: Michael Yang is one of Duterte’s consultants
“Sa akin kung nagagamit siyang consultant because of his knowledge on some matters, then if that’s the prerogative of the executive department, we can’t do anything about it,” Sotto said in a news forum.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier defended Yang’s appointment, citing that Duterte needs people like Yang since he has “technical love on running a business” and he “knows a lot of people in the Chinese government.”
“It’s their prerogative. It’s the lookout of the executive department,” Sotto stressed, but also noted he was only speaking for himself.
According to Sotto, a local government unit even hired a jueteng operator to address the issues of Small Town Lottery in their area.
Sotto also said Duterte apparently did not know of Yang’s appointment because it was then Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea who signed Yang’s contracts. Guevarra is now Justice Secretary.
“Well, apparently hindi niya alam. Hindi siya ang pumirma eh (Well, apparently he did not know about it. He wasn’t the one who signed the contracts),” Sotto said. /kga