Sen. Risa Hontiveros explained the potential link between the controversial Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, or POGOs.

During an online press briefing conducted on Monday, Hontiveros stated that the suspended mayor of Bamban, Alice Guo, might be associated with “larger syndicates.” She disclosed that her business, Baofuland Development Inc., had dealings with a certain Hongjiang Yang, who is the brother of Michael Yang, a former advisor to former President Rodrigo Duterte and a key player in the Pharmally controversy.

“Friends, let me show you this image from the Anti-Money Laundering Council. Ang kumpanya ni Alice Guo, ang Baofu, ay may direktang transaksyon sa joint account ng dalawang tao: Ang isa si Yu Zheng Can, na incorporator ng Hong Sheng, ang Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) na ni-raid sa Bamban, Tarlac. Ang kasama niya sa account ay isang nagngangalang Hongjiang Yang,” Hontiveros said in her online press briefing.

“Who is Hongjiang Yang, you may ask? Kapatid po siya ni Michael Yang. Yes, the same Michael Yang na dating economic presidential adviser kuno ni Duterte. In short, the money of Michael Yang’s brother was used to fund HongSheng, the raided Bamban Pogo,” she added.

Hontiveros then revealed documentation from the Anti-Money Laundering Council that linked the incorporators of several POGO hubs to Pharmally—the government’s contentious COVID-19 medical supplier.

“Si Hongjiang Yang ay incorporator ng Full Win Group of Companies, kung saan incorporator din si Gerald Cruz, na isa sa mga incorporator ng Pharmally Biological. The same Gerald Cruz na incorporator din ng POGO ng Brickhartz na ang mga papeles ay natagpuan sa Bamban. Sabi ko nga, mukhang one big happy Pharmally pala itong mga POGO at Pharmally members,” Hontiveros said.

“Baka nga itong pharmally ang PHARM na kinalakihan ni Alice Guo,” Hontiveros said in jest.

“Mukhang konektado talaga si Guo Hua Ping sa mga mas malalaking sindikato pa,” Hontiveros added.

Yang’s lawyers deny link between Yang and POGOs

Hontiveros also stated that because Michael Yang was a previous adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte, they will investigate the latter’s alleged involvement with POGOs.

“Yun yung susunod na dots na titignan kung maikokonekta o hindi,” Hontiveros remarked.

Michael Yang’s counsel, Atty. Raymond Fortun, however, stated that his client has no involvement in POGOs.

“I don’t know a Hongjiang Yang. I didn’t even know that Michael has a brother,” Fortun said.

Fortun has also stated that Yang’s Pharmally Biological and Pharmally Pharmaceutical, the company connected to the Pharmally affair, are different entities.

📷 Sen. Risa Hontiveros FB