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Former Duterte adviser Michael Yang slams Congress, denies hand in POGOs
Senator Risa Hontiveros has flagged a potential link between former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang and illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
Hontiveros revealed that Gerald Cruz, an individual connected to an illegal POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac, is also associated with Yang's Philippine Full Win Group of Companies Inc. as its corporate secretary.
Cruz's connection extends to Pharmally Biological Inc., where Yang allegedly has shares.
Huang Tzu Yen, president of Pharmally Biological and Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, previously admitted to borrowing money from Yang to fund their COVID-19 supplies contract.
Hontiveros also noted that Xion Wei Technologies, the POGO licensee of Brickhartz, was owned by Yang.
However, Yang's lawyer, Raymond Fortun, denied the allegations, stating that Yang's name does not appear in any of the corporations and that the connections are "hyperbole" without legal or factual basis.
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Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has linked the alleged brother of former presidential adviser Michael Yang to the raided POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac.
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Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque clarified his interaction with PAGCOR, stating it was to schedule a payment for Lucky South 99, which held a valid license at the time, and that his client was Whirlwind Corporation, a service provider to Lucky South 99, not the POGO firm itself.
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The House Committee on Dangerous Drugs cited former Presidential Economic Adviser Michael Yang for contempt due to his repeated failure to attend hearings related to a P3.6 billion drug bust in Pampanga.
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Speaker Martin Romualdez has called for a congressional investigation into crimes allegedly linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
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Finance Secretary Ralph Recto has submitted a recommendation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a total ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
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