Duterte doesn’t interfere in Senate affairs: Palace

FILE: Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Secretary Salvador S. Panelo holds a press briefing for the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) at the New Executive Building (NEB) in Malacañang. (Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA – Malacañang on Friday said President Rodrigo Duterte won’t interfere with the functions of the Senate amid detained Senator Leila de Lima’s call to investigate Chinese businessman Michael Yang.

“The President does not interfere with a co-equal branch of government. Neither does he interferes with the functions and duties of the its members,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo replied when asked to comment on De Lima’s resolution.

De Lima, who is facing illegal drug charges, has filed a Senate resolution seeking inquiry into the appointment of foreign nationals to public posts.

She particularly mentioned Yang, also known as Yang Hong Ming, who has been publicly issuing business cards which identify him as presidential economic adviser.

De Lima said Yang is using the official seal of the Office of the President of the Philippines and the official logo of his firm, Full Win Company.

Duterte has denied that Yang is his presidential economic adviser, declaring that he cannot be an official appointee, being a Chinese citizen.

Despite clarification from the President, De Lima asked the appropriate Senate committee to conduct investigation, saying there is a need to inquire into the citizenship of presidential appointees as public office held by a foreign national is inimical to the public interest and welfare.

“It’s not a question of allowing. As I said, the President does not interfere with an co-equal branch. The Senate has its own protocol of inviting resource persons. The President has nothing to with that,” said Panelo, who is also chief presidential legal counsel, said.