By Clarist Mae Zablan
(December 30, 2024) – Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Monday sounded the alarm on reports that some officials in the Bureau of Immigration (BI) allegedly attempted to push for the release of Tony Yang on bail.
Yang, the brother of former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang, faced multiple criminal charges in connection to his alleged links to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). He was accused of hiding his Chinese citizenship to establish businesses in the Philippines.
Hontiveros did not give further details on the alleged push to grant bail to Tony Yang.
She stressed that the businessman should stay in detention, maintaining that if he needed medical attention, he should still remain under government custody while getting treated.
“Maniniwala ba tayo na susunod sa batas yang si Tony Yang?” she said in a statement. “He has made his fortune in the country by pretending to be Filipino. He, along with his brother Michael Yang, has exploited the Filipino people for his own gain.”
The senator also urged the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to expedite its investigation on Tony Yang’s alleged money laundering activities.
“Hindi pwedeng hindi siya managot. Ano ito, trial balloon? Tapos si Guo Hua Ping naman? ‘Wag niyong linlangin ang bayan,” she said.
Yang’s legal battle came as the government ramped up its crackdown on POGOs, stemming from alleged criminal activities linked to these offshore gambling firms such as human trafficking and online scams. Both chambers of Congress launched investigations into the issue. Pres. Bongbong Marcos has also ordered a total ban on POGOs.
The number of active POGOs in the countries have gone down to 17, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) said in media reports earlier this month.
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