Michael Yang cited for contempt, ordered arrested by House panel

Michael Yang —MALACANANG FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Former Presidential Economic Adviser Michael Yang has been cited for contempt and ordered arrested for repeatedly refusing to attend the House of Representatives probe into a September 2023 drug bust in Pampanga.

During the committee on dangerous drugs hearing on Wednesday, Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop made the motion after Yang failed to attend the continuation of the inquiry. 

“May I move then Mr. Chair to cite Mr. Yang for contempt for continuously being absent in spite of the subpoena and in spite of the invitation given to him,” Acop said. 

His motion was seconded by Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez and was approved by the committee chairperson and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers. 

Barbers instructed the committee secretary to coordinate with the lower chamber’s Sergeant-at-Arms and the Philippine National Police, among other law enforcement agencies, in enforcing the arrest order.

Acop was informed that the panel already issued a subpoena against Yang,  which was received by a receptionist working for Atty. Raymond Fortun’s office.

Fortun is Yang’s legal counsel. 

Based on previous reports, illegal drugs worth over P3.6 billion were seized in a Pampanga warehouse in September 2023.

Barbers revealed that Lincoln Ong — Yang’s interpreter, who was also linked in the Pharmally scandal — “was found to be an incorporator of a company with links to other companies, including Empire 999.”

Previous hearings also revealed that Empire 999 owned the warehouse where P3 billion worth of shabu (crystal meth) was found.