Duterte insists ex-adviser Michael Yang is not a drug lord

Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday insisted before a House panel that his former economic adviser, businessman Michael Yang, is not linked to the illegal drug trade. 

Duterte made the response when asked regarding a confidential report of former Police Colonel Eduardo Acierto linking Yang to illegal narcotics — a report Acierto detailed during a previous hearing by the House Quad Committee (QuadComm)on the Duterte administration's bloody war on drugs.

"Are you really sure? Produce one [evidence] now," Duterte said when asked by Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel if he is aware of Yang's alleged links to the illegal drug trade.

"Kung buhay pa 'yan, ibig sabihin hindi 'yan durugista. Hindi ko itataya yung pagkatao ko na [naging] mayor, presidente," Duterte added.

(If he's still alive then he's not into drugs. I will not bet my name on such a person. I've become mayor and president.)

"Kung buhay pa 'yan, ibig sabihin hindi 'yan durugista. Hindi ko itataya yung pagkatao ko na [naging] mayor, presidente," Duterte added.

(If he is still alive, that means he is not involved in the illegal drug trade. I won't stake my name otherwise.)

Duterte doubled down on his denial when asked the same question by House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of ACT Teachers party-list. The former president said he is confident that Yang is not listed as a drug suspect by various government agencies.

“Mas marunong ako sa iyo, Ma'am. Hindi talaga involved ‘yan [si Yang sa illegal drugs]. Magtanong ka ng pulis ngayon. Gusto mo magsama tayo sa NICA, magsama tayo [na pumunta] sa NBI. Ngayon na, pagkatapos nito,” Duterte said.

(I know better than you, Ma'am. Yang is not really involved in the illegal drug trade. Ask the police officials. Let's go to NICA, NBI, right now, after this.)

NICA is the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency while NBI is the National Bureau of Investigation.

“Suspetsa [lang] nila kasi Chinese,” Duterte added.

(He is just being suspected of being involved in drug since he is Chinese.)

Duterte then said that it is not unusual that businessmen like Yang would try to get close and be on the good graces of politicians, especially mayors. A former Davao City mayor himself, he also noted that he is picky with the company he keeps.

"He's going around until now and making friends with everybody. Lahat ng mayor [may] dumidikit [na businessman], ganoon ang mga Chinese...lahat ng businessmen sa China, mainland China, pag nagnegosyo, dumidikit ‘yan sa mga pulitiko, especially the mayor," the former leader said.

(Businessmen try to get close to politicians, that is usual, especially the mayor.)

"Hindi ako namimili kasi lolo ko, Chinese. Michael Yang is an owner of a big department store in Davao City,  ako ang nag-cut ng ribbon sa department store niya. And every businessman, whether ang background mo hindi kung saan ka galing, if you want to have a picture with me, I will gladly oblige you,” he added.

(I don’t really think a lot about who try to get close to me because my grandfather is a Chinese.)

Manuel, in response, said Yang's reported drug links should not be easily dismissed, noting that having Yang as economic adviser made the past administration seem like a "mafia." 

Duterte, however, said that he will kill Yang himself if there is evidence that he is indeed involved in the illegal drug trade.

“Kung may lumapit sa aming ganun, kung walang namang ebidensiya na nagkakalat sa harap mo...pero ako, pagka sigurado ako sa iyong sinasabi mo ngayon ako mismo ang gugurgur sa tao na iyan,” Duterte said.

(Even if someone is getting close to me, if  there is no evidence that this person is making a mess where you can see it...but if I'm sure that he is indeed involved in illegal activities, I'll take care of them myself.)

“Wala akong pasensiya diyan sa mga ganun, so do not worry,” Duterte added.

(I don't have patience for these kind of people.) —KBK/RF, GMA Integrated News