Ex-PNP chief Acorda eager to explain himself at Senate probe on Pogos

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police chief Benjamin Acorda on Wednesday expressed eagerness to attend the Senate probe on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo), saying he needs to explain his side.

Acorda made the remarks after Senator Risa Hontiveros showed several photos showing him with some personalities being linked to illegal Pogos.

READ: Ex-PNP Chief Acorda’s photos with Pogo figures bared in Senate probe

“Thankful din ako at ipapatawag din ako at makapagbigay ng paliwanag,” Acorda said over radio DZRH.

(I am thankful that I will be summoned because I could explain my side.)

“Kaya naman po tayo ipapatawag ay para to clarify those insinuations,” he said.

(That is why we are being summoned, to clarify those insinuations.)

Hontiveros, in a Senate hearing on Tuesday, confronted Yang Jian Xin also known as Tony Yang with a photo of him and three others, including Acorda.

Yang said he only visited Acorda, who was the police chief of Cagayan province at that time.

Hontiveros then said the Senate panel would invite Acorda for the next hearing.

However, Acorda said he has yet to receive the invitation.

“Wala pa po akong natanggap na imbitasyon,” he said when asked when he would be attending the hearing.

(I have not received an invitation yet.)

“Hindi po ako nakapanood talaga eh, nasa probinsya ako. Sinabihan lang po ako na ipapatawag ako,” he added.

(I haven’t watched the hearing, I am in the province. I was only told that I would be summoned.)

Tony Yang, the elder brother of businessman Michael Yang who served as the economic adviser of then President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino  International  Airport upon his arrival from Cagayan de Oro on Sept. 19 for allegedly “misrepresenting himself as a Filipino” and falsifying documents.

According to Hontiveros,  Yang is the president of a service provider for a Pogo hub connected to a Pharmally executive. Pharmally is the pharmaceutical corporation also investigated by the Senate over its allegedly anomalous deal with the government concerning pandemic-related supplies.