(UPDATED) The Senate blue ribbon committee on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, approved a motion to cite former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang in contempt and began the process of issuing a warrant for his arrest to compel him to appear before the committee and explain his ties to Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corporation, the obscure company that bagged a huge government contract to provide medical supplies.
The committee, which is looking into the deficiencies in the use of Covid-19 response funds by the Department of Health, made the move after two attempts to serve a subpoena inviting Yang to appear before the committee failed.
The subpoena server first went to the office of the Full Win on September 2 and to a house in Forbes Park occupied by Yang on September 3.
Yang, however, could not be located. At Full Win, the server was told that Yang was no longer connected with the company while in Forbes Park, the server was told that Yang does not reside in the area.
Senator Richard Gordon, committee chairman, said Yang "seems to be in flight right now."
"Subpoena has been served and there have been lies perpetrated," Gordon said, referring to the claim that Yang does not reside in the Forbes Park house leased to Pai Li Holdings, Inc.
A copy of the lease contract, however, showed that the house, located at 19 Narra Avenue in Forbes Park, has been leased for P500,000 a month since 2017 for the use of Pai Li stockholder Michael Yang, also known as Yang Hong Ming. The contract has a term of five years.
Senator Francis Pangilinan said the rules state that when two subpoenas are ignored, the next step is to issue a warrant of arrest.
Senator Risa Hontiveros moved to cite Yang in contempt, a motion that was approved by Gordon since there were no objections.
Gordon said they will start the process of issuing a warrant against Yang, with the director general sending the documents for approval by Senate President Vicente Sotto III. (Marites Villamor-Ilano / Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo)