Palace says Congress free to probe Michael Yang’s alleged drug links

MANILA, Philippines – Congress is free to investigate Chinese businessman Michael Yang’s alleged drug links, Malacañang said Friday.

This developed after detained Senator Leila de Lima asked the Senate to conduct a “comprehensive probe” on the alleged connection of Yang, who was appointed adviser of President Rodrigo Duterte until December 2018, to the illegal drug trade in the country.

Yang’s appointment was not renewed in the wake of initial allegations that he was involved in the illicit drug business.

De Lima on Thursday filed Senate Resolution No. 1033, pointing out that an investigation on Yang was “imperative, as accountability must be sought given his official, high-level capacity as a former Presidential Economic Adviser.”

READ: Senate’s ‘comprehensive probe’ on Michael Yang’s alleged drug links sought

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine National Police (PNP) have already cleared Yang from any involvement in illegal drugs.

READ: PDEA chief clears ex-Duterte adviser Michael Yang of drug links

“Isn’t it that Michael Yang has already been cleared by PDEA and by the PNP? They are saying that Acierto was referring to a different Michael Yang,” Panelo said.

Dismissed former deputy director for administration of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) Eduardo Acierto has accused Yang of being involved in the illegal drugs trade.

Nevertheless, Panelo said Congress could still probe the Chinese businessman.

“Congress has the right to investigate,” he said.

Still, however, Panelo said no more investigation against Yang would be carried out by the Duterte administration.

“If that is their findings, why will they [still investigate?]. In fact, those are their findings because they already investigated it,” said Panelo, referring to the investigation conducted by PNP and PDEA. /kga