Blue ribbon panel moves for arrest of Michael Yang, Pharmally exec for lying in Senate probe

Irked by "evasive" answers, senators on Friday cited in contempt and moved for the arrest of former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang and Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation official Linconn Ong during the Senate blue ribbon investigation on alleged overpriced COVID-19 supplies.

Senator Panfilo Lacson moved for the issuance of another warrant of arrest against Yang and Ong after they observed inconsistencies in their testimonies.

“May I move or issue the motion Mr. chairman, it’s not only Mr. Ong who is being evasive. I think Mr. Yang likewise is being evasive because we cannot get an answer …and clearly they are being evasive,” Lacson said.

“So I would really move, either not to lift the warrant of arrest issued by the Senate president or issue a subsequent warrant of arrest for being evasive,” he added.

Senator Risa Hontiveros seconded Lacson’s motion.  

“There being no objection, the chair hereby orders that Mr. Linconn Ong and Mr. Yang placed under arrest,” Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Richard Gordon ruled.

The new warrant of arrest needs to be signed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III first before it can be issued to Yang and Ong.

The Senate earlier issued a warrant of arrest against Yang, Ong, and four other Pharmally officials for skipping the Senate hearings despite the subpoenas issued against them.

Before the hearing was suspended Friday night, panel placed Ong under house arrest as he is positive for COVID-19.

The officers from the Senate Office of Sergeant-At-Arms will be deployed to ensure that Ong will stay in his residence.

The Senate panel, however, has yet to decide on Yang’s arrest.—LDF, GMA News