In a scandal that has shaken the Philippines, two individuals connected to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration have been implicated in a high-profile COVID-19 corruption case involving millions spent on Dubai real estate. Leaked records from Dubai reveal that Michael Yang, Duterte’s former economic advisor, and Lin Weixiong, a financial manager for Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp, funneled millions into luxury properties in Dubai as the pandemic surged. With alleged connections to lucrative government contracts and claims of overpriced medical supplies, the scandal has triggered intense scrutiny and legal repercussions, adding to a long list of controversies facing Duterte’s legacy.

According to leaked property data from Dubai obtained by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and Rappler, Michael Yang and Lin Weixiong were listed in real estate transactions totaling over $20 million. This new information ties back to a larger corruption scandal in the Philippines, in which government contracts were allegedly mismanaged, benefiting Pharmally-a company accused of selling overpriced medical supplies to public departments during the height of the pandemic.

Lin Weixiong is recorded as having purchased land in Dubai’s Emirates Hills for $16.3 million in May 2021, according to the leak. This private community, known for its exclusivity, is home to multi-million-dollar estates and counts global elites among its residents. Only a month later, in June 2021, Lin purchased a villa in another luxury development for $4.7 million. The swift transactions raise questions about the sudden influx of funds and timing, as public health systems in the Philippines were struggling amid COVID-19. Official Dubai property records reflect both purchase dates and prices, though the initial buyer’s identities were reportedly omitted from these records.

In September 2021, just months after these purchases, Philippine authorities initiated Senate hearings to investigate contracts awarded to Pharmally, the company linked to both men. As these hearings progressed, Lin and Yang sold the Emirates Hills property, reportedly turning a profit of $6.8 million. By October 2022, Yang was listed as a co-owner of the property alongside Lin, suggesting his deeper involvement in these real estate dealings.

The scandal surrounding Pharmally began with allegations of grossly inflated prices for medical supplies, which the company secured through government contracts amounting to a reported $130 million. Yang, who had served as an economic advisor to Duterte, is suspected of influencing the contract allocation process to benefit Pharmally. Lin, as the financial manager, was identified by the Philippine Senate committee as playing a central role in the scheme, reportedly being “deeply involved” in the alleged irregularities.

During the Senate’s investigations, Lin was summoned multiple times but failed to appear, prompting heightened speculation about the extent of his role. By May 2023, he faced formal graft charges; however, these allegations have yet to be proven in court. In contrast, Yang has not faced charges directly related to the Pharmally scandal but has testified before the Senate. His testimony did little to dispel the controversy, with many lawmakers remaining skeptical of his account of the events.

Yang’s entanglement in the Pharmally scandal is just one aspect of his complicated and controversial relationship with the former Duterte administration. Separate allegations have tied him to Duterte’s aggressive anti-drug campaign, which has been widely condemned by human rights groups. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been investigating Duterte for alleged human rights abuses, with claims that his so-called “war on drugs” has led to as many as 30,000 extrajudicial killings between 2016 and 2022.

The ICC has heard testimony linking Yang to an underground methamphetamine operation in Mindanao, allegedly run by a network connected to Duterte. One witness, a former member of the “Davao Death Squad”-a notorious vigilante group accused of carrying out Duterte’s early drug war tactics in Davao City-claimed that Yang was involved in methamphetamine labs across the region. This witness further alleged that Duterte and his son, Paolo, collaborated with Yang in the drug trade, accusations dismissed by Duterte’s representatives as “hearsay.”

The allegations against Yang extend beyond his advisory role; they suggest a long-standing involvement with Duterte’s administration that may have emboldened him to secure favorable deals during the pandemic. Following Duterte’s presidency, the ICC’s inquiry into his drug war policies has added international dimensions to the scandal, with Yang himself being called to testify regarding his alleged involvement. So far, he has not appeared before the ICC or the Philippine Congress, leading to further speculation and mistrust.

The Philippines’ Department of Justice has faced criticism for its perceived leniency towards Yang and Lin, who left the Philippines shortly after their property dealings were disclosed. Yang reportedly departed for Dubai in May 2023, as per travel records obtained by Rappler. The lack of accountability and his evasion of local authorities has fueled anger among Filipinos who endured severe hardships during the pandemic, with some citizens questioning the government’s commitment to pursuing justice in high-profile cases involving public funds.

Pharmally, as a company, remains under intense scrutiny, and the scandal has placed a spotlight on the Duterte administration’s management of pandemic-related funds. The Philippine Senate has vowed to pursue the matter rigorously, with lawmakers pushing for more substantial reforms in procurement transparency and public bidding procedures. However, critics argue that the Senate’s slow response to such investigations may embolden future corrupt activities, particularly when influential figures remain out of reach due to international ties or connections within the administration.

The Pharmally scandal is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges the Philippines faces in combating corruption within its government structures. Duterte’s administration, which rose to power on a platform of rooting out corruption and crime, has instead left behind a legacy marred by graft allegations, human rights abuses, and questions about accountability. The ongoing investigations into Yang, Lin, and other associates of Duterte have stirred a public debate on the future of governance in the country, especially as calls grow for greater transparency and accountability in public office.

The implications of this scandal extend beyond individual culpability, touching on issues of systemic corruption, inadequate oversight, and the power that close allies of top officials can wield within government contracts. As the Philippine government continues to confront the fallout from these revelations, it faces an uphill battle in restoring public trust and ensuring that such abuses do not recur.

The Dubai real estate purchases and the leaked documents linking Yang and Lin to suspicious property acquisitions abroad have underscored the international scope of corruption. If the Philippine government fails to hold powerful individuals accountable, it risks reinforcing a culture of impunity, eroding faith in public institutions, and setting a dangerous precedent for future administrations.

Ultimately, the outcome of this scandal may shape how the Philippines moves forward in its fight against corruption, a battle that has taken on greater urgency in the wake of this pandemic-era profiteering scandal.

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