Senate panel wants Yang under immigration watchlist

Michael Yang — Screengrab / Senate PRIB file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate blue ribbon committee will be requesting a “watch order” against former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) after he was a no-show in Monday’s hearing due to medical reasons.

“We now order the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Director General to write a letter of request to the Department of Justice, through the Bureau of Immigration, to issue a Watch Order against Michael Yang,” Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the committee, said.

This, after Yang’s counsel, lawyer Raymond Fortun, told the committee that his client was advised by his doctor to undergo bed rest for five days.

Earlier, Fortun said Yang was unable to attend the hearing on Monday since his blood pressure “shot up.”

However, Fortun assured senators he will instruct Yang to attend any possible hearings within the five-day period should he feel well enough.

“The doctor really said that he should go on five days bed rest but if the honorable committee would set a hearing within the five-day period then I will instruct Mr. Yang if he’s well enough to, of course, to appear because he’s been very cooperative and will be willing to answer questions,” Fortun said.

At this point, Gordon pointed out that Yang only showed up in last week’s hearing after the blue ribbon committee issued an arrest order against him.

“We subpoenaed him twice and he didn’t show up until we issued a warrant of arrest,” the senator said.

“He’s sick. He cannot be sick forever,” he added.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon proposed that a request be made to the BI for a watch order to be issued against Yang.

“So that if the witness tried to leave, the blue ribbon committee will be notified immediately,” Drilon said.

JPV