House panel cites Ong in contempt for refusal to answer queries

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

IN CONTEMPT. Cassandra Li Ong, the authorized representative of the raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Pampanga province, takes her oath during the House quad committee hearing into the links between POGOs and the illegal drug trade on Wednesday (Aug. 28, 2024). Ong was cited in contempt anew for her persistent refusal to respond to questions from lawmakers. (Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The quad committee of the House of Representatives on Wednesday cited in contempt anew Cassandra Li Ong, the authorized representative of the raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Pampanga province, for her persistent refusal to respond to questions from lawmakers.

During the joint House hearing into the links between POGOs and the illegal drug trade, Ong earned another contempt citation by refusing to answer the questions and invoking her right against self-incrimination.

House Committee on Dangerous Drugs chair and Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers pointed out that there is already a Supreme Court ruling regarding the invocation of the right against self-incrimination, which can only be done when an incriminatory question is asked.

The questions raised by lawmakers during the inquiry were initially about Ong’s citizenship rather than her ties as representative of Lucky South 99 POGO.

The quad committee also ruled to detain Ong at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City instead of the House detention facility and extend her detention until the panel completes its investigation.

Ong has been detained at the House of Representatives after she was cited in contempt by the quad committee for snubbing its congressional hearings.

Sheila Guo, sister of dismissed Bamban town mayor Alice Guo of Tarlac province, and Ong were repatriated to the country last week after they were arrested in Indonesia.

In a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Shiela said Alice Guo is not her biological sister.