House panel chair says no evidence vs Duterte, Yang over Pharmally woes

FILE Former presidential adviser on economic affairs Michael Yang with President Duterte during a meeting with officials of Pharmally Pharmaceuticals in Davao City. Image from the March 18, 2017 video of RTVM Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines — There is no evidence to recommend the filing of charges against President Rodrigo Duterte and his former economic adviser, Chinese businessman Michael Yang, regarding the alleged anomalous pandemic-related supply deals entered by government, House blue ribbon committee chair Rep. Michael Aglipay maintained Wednesday.

Aglipay made the remark following the report of the Senate blue ribbon committee recommending the possible filing of charges against Duterte and Yang in relation to the government deals with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) to government frontliners..

“Walang evidence to support the other charges (There is no evidence to support the other charges),” Aglipay said in a Viber message in response to the Senate panel’s report.

“Example is Michael Yang, he is not liable in this Pharmally case. He is just a financier and lending money is not a crime. And another recommendation, President Duterte, his crime supposedly was appointing these officials in DBM (Department of Budget and Management) and associating with Michael Yang,” he added.

Unlike the Senate panel’s report, the House blue ribbon committee only recommended the filing of charges against several Pharmally officials. The House panel’s recommendation did not cover Yang and Duterte.

Aglipay said he stands by the report of his own committee despite its difference with the Senate panel’s version.

“We stand by our own findings knowing that we have based our recommendation on testimonial and documentary evidences only,” Aglipay said.

The Senate panel recommended the possible filing of charges against Duterte once he steps down from office, recognizing that he is currently enjoying immunity from suit as the president of the country.

EDV