Michael Yang’s camp denies link to illegal POGOs

Metro Manila, Philippines — An adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte has denied allegations of involvement in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday, July 11, said in a public hearing that Michael Yang is connected to the service provider Brickhartz, a company linked to the illegal POGO in Bamban, Tarlac.

Hontiveros said Gerald Cruz, an incorporator of Brickhartz, was also the incorporator of Yang’s Full Win Group of Companies.

Raymond Fortun, Yang’s lawyer, said this was not enough to link his client to the issue.

“I think that’s pretty unfair, And that’s the problem with all of these accusations, and revelations because it’s all hyperbole,” Fortun told NewsWatch Plus on Thursday, July 11. “Everything is just to say may [there’s a] connection.”

“In fairness naman to the good senator, she said merong posibilidad [there’s a possibility], which means therefore that there is also a possibility that there’s no connection,” he said.

A House panel on Wednesday also cited Yang in contempt for skipping a probe on the bust of P3.6-billion illegal drugs in Pampanga last year, in which he was implicated.

In a statement read by his legal counsel, Yang said he was in Dubai for important business. He denied his supposed involvement in illegal drugs.

He also believed the hearings were unfair, adding that lawmakers should file pieces of evidence before a court instead.

NewsWatch Plus Senior Correspondent Eimor Santos contributed to this report.