Hontiveros: Tony Yang is head of firm servicing POGO linked to ex-Pharmally exec

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday bared that Tony Yang, the brother of Michael Yang, an economic adviser during the Duterte administration, was named as the president of a firm that is a service provider of a POGO hub linked to a Pharmally executive.

Hontiveros revealed this at the continuation of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality's investigation  into illegal POGO, or Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator, hubs.

"A POGO associated with Tony Yang, Oro One Corporation, lists him as president. Itong Oro One ay service provider ng Xionwei na alam natin na binaliktad na pangalan ni Lin Weixion alias Alan Lim ng Pharmally. Ang email naman ng Xionwei — ginagamit ng isa pang POGO — Brickhartz — na ang papeles ay nakita sa Bamban. Mukhang iisang network – o happy Pharmally – lang talaga ito," Hontiveros said.

(A company associated with Tony Yang, Oro One Corporation, lists him as president. This Oro One is a service provider for Xionwei, which we know is from the name Lin Weixion, also known as Alan Lim of Pharmally. Meanwhile, Xionwei's email is being used by another POGO, Brickhartz, whose documents were found in Bamban. It appears to be a single network — or rather, a happy Pharmally — after all.)

"Matagal na natin nababalitaan si Michael Yang. Ang katotohanan ay bagamat mas kilala si Michael, si Tony ang sinasabing totoong architect ng operations ng mga Yang," she added.

(We've been hearing about Michael Yang for a long time. However, the truth is that although Michael is more well-known, it's Tony who is said to be the true architect behind the operations of the Yangs.)

Pharmally refers to Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, a supplier of medical equipment that was embroiled in a corruption controversy during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 

Hontiveros, during Tuesday's hearing, mentioned that there was a "connection" among Tony Yang; former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo; Sual, Pangasinan Mayor Liseldo "Dong" Calugay; and several other persons of interest in connection with the operations of illegal POGOs.

Tony Yang was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 last Thursday for being an undesirable alien.

During his arrest, authorities seized P1.4 million in cash, expensive items, a Chinese passport and a Philippine birth certificate bearing late registration.

In July, Hontiveros bared information from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) linking Tony Yang to the raided POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac.

Also during Tuesday's hearing, Hontiveros also mentioned Jomalig Island in Quezon Province as a possible "area of concern" because it "appears to be a playground of Bamban POGO bosses," adding that this island might have been the place where Alice Guo hid.

"Ang co-accused niya na si Yang Bin ay may family link sa mismong nakaupong pamunuan ng Jomalig," Hontiveros said.

(Her co-accused, Yang Bin, has a family connection to the current leadership in Jomalig.)

Alice Guo is facing a string of charges, including human trafficking and money laundering, in connection with the illegal operation of a POGO hub in Bamban. —KBK, GMA Integrated News