Opposition Senator Leila de Lima has sought for a Senate investigation the appointment of Chinese national Michael Yang who identifies himself as President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic adviser, and other foreign nationals to public office.
She noted that the independence of the State from foreign control necessitates that the questionable citizenship of a presidential adviser be authenticated, and the nature and scope of his influence over foreign policy is fully disclosed.
De Lima filed Senate Resolution No. 922 urging the appropriate Senate committee to look into Yang’s appointment as presidential economic adviser and determine the extent of his “official engagement” under the present Duterte administration.
Yang, also known as Yang Hong Ming, has been publicly issuing business cards which identify him as “presidential economic adviser” using the official seal of the Office of the President of the Philippines and the official logo of his firm, Full Win Company
He has also been reported to have hosted Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade in his office as presidential economic adviser.