House panel issues show-cause order vs Michael Yang

A House of Representatives panel has issued a show-cause order against Michael Yang, an adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte, for failing to attend a hearing on a P3.6 billion drug bust.

Yang's lawyer, Raymond Fortun, attended the hearing and stated that Yang is in Dubai for a business trip since May 12, 2024, and has traveled abroad eight times in the past seven months.

Committee members questioned the validity of this reason for absence.

The hearing concerns a September 2023 drug bust in Pampanga, where illegal drugs were found in a warehouse owned by Empire 999.

Empire 999 is partly owned by Lincoln Ong, who is described as Yang's translator and was previously linked to Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation.

Committee chair Representative Robert Ace Barbers stated that a show-cause order would be issued first before considering arrest warrants if Yang fails to provide a satisfactory explanation.

Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez suggested that a subpoena order be issued against Yang due to his "unacceptable" reason for absence.