Duterte on ex-adviser Michael Yang: ‘Hindi ‘yan Instik na kinukunan ko ng pera’

By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday defended Davao-based Chinese businessman Michael Yang against his role in the government purchase of alleged overpriced medical supplies for the pandemic response.

“Michael yang has been in business here in the Philippines for 20 years. Nag-umpisa ‘yan dito sa Davao… Hindi ‘yan Instik na kinukunan ko ng pera. You disabuse your mind. Yun ang problema ninyo,” Duterte said during his taped weekly address.

Yang, former economic adviser of the President, reportedly has ties with local firm Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. that bagged a P8.68-billion contract from the Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service for the procurement of face masks and face shields.

The Chief Executive also defended Chinese suppliers getting pandemic contracts, saying that he personally encouraged them to further invest in the country.

“Ang karamihan nito pumasok sa bidding, sa lahat ng negosyo dito sa Pilpinas. Akala ko ba we are inviting investors? That’s why I went to China several times to ask them to help us. ‘Yung pera nila ibuhos mo na lang dito para magkaroon tayo,” he added.

During a Senate hearing on alleged anomalies in the pandemic funds last week, Senator Richard Gordon played an RTVM footage showing Yang and Pharmally officials having a meeting with Duterte in Davao City.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)