Chinese businessman Michael Yang, President Duterte’s former economic adviser, has been placed in the immigration watchlist on Tuesday, Sept. 14, on request of the Senate.
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra issued the order directing the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to place Yang in its watchlist.
In his order, Guevarra said:
“In view of the gravity of the matters subject of investigation as the issue involved national interest, and the possibility that Mr. Yang may attempt to place himself beyond the reach of the legal process by leaving the country, this Department deems the issuance of an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against him in order to, at least, monitor the itineraries of his flights, travel and/or whereabouts, should he attempt to leave the country.
“It should be noted, however, that an ILBO is for monitoring purposes only, and it is not, in and of itself, a sufficient prohibition for a subject’s departure from the Philippines.”
The ILBO was issued at the request of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee after Yang failed to appear during its hearing on Monday, Sept. 13, on alleged anomalous purchases concerning the government’s response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Among those being investigated is the alleged anomalous government deals with Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. amounting to around P10 billion.
Yang has been identified as the financier and guarantor of Pharmally.