The Senate investigation into alleged illegal activities within Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) has now linked Michael Yang, former economic adviser to ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, to the controversial operations.

This revelation came from Sen. Risa Hontiveros during a Senate inquiry on Wednesday.

Hontiveros presented evidence connecting Gerald Cruz, an incorporator of Brickhartz Technologies Inc., to the POGO hub raided in Bamban.

Cruz also serves as the corporate secretary of Pharmally Biological, a sister company to Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, which was previously embroiled in a scandal over overpriced COVID-19 supplies procured by the government.

Hontiveros highlighted Cruz’s association with Huang Tzu Yen, president of both Pharmally Biological and Pharmally Pharmaceutical. Huang had admitted borrowing money from Michael Yang to fund their COVID-19 supply contracts. Further investigation showed Cruz’s involvement with Yang’s Full Win Incorporation, where he serves as the corporate secretary.

Adding to the intrigue, Hontiveros revealed that Xion Wei Technologies, the POGO licensee linked to Brickhartz, is owned by Yang.

“Brickhartz and Xion Wei Technologies Inc. share the same email address,” Hontiveros stated.

“This clearly indicates that through Gerald Cruz, between Alice Guo’s POGO in Bamban and Michael Yang, these criminal operations being investigated in the POGO scandal are connected.”

Hontiveros concluded by emphasizing the organized nature of these operations, involving powerful individuals. “It appears that this is an organized operation involving influential people,” she remarked.

In response, Yang’s lawyer, Atty. Raymond Fortun, clarified that Pharmally Biological, where Yang had shares, never conducted business in the Philippines.

He stressed that Pharmally Biological is distinct from Pharmally Pharmaceutical, the company implicated in the COVID-19 supply controversy.

“Mr. Michael Yang has not been charged before the Sandiganbayan due to insufficient evidence,” Fortun told GMA News.