Cassandra Li Ong, representative of Lucky South 99 POGO, confers with her lawyer Ferdinand Topacio during the House of Representatives quad committee hearing, August 28, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA – Cassandra Ong has asked the House Quad Committee to “allow her friend and stay with her” at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong, the panel said on Friday.

READ: Cassandra Ong detained at women's jail in Mandaluyong

Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano read Ong’s letter of request during the tail-end of the hearing past 1 a.m. on Friday.

Paduano said Ong wanted her friend to stay with her in the detention facility.

“The basis of this is she is suffering from severe mental breakdown and anxiety attacks, and currently in a state of severe depression,” Rep. Paduano said.

“I presume it is a lady and the word being used is her friend,” he added.

Antipolo Second District Rep. Romeo Acop said it was proper to consult with the authorities of CIW regarding Ong’s request, but Surigao del Sur Second  District Rep. Johnny Ty Pimentel noted that based on the last paragraph of the letter, the decision was up to the House.

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House Quad Comm overall chairperson and Surigao Del Norte Second  District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said they would look into Ong’s request.

“It is proper for us to confer with the CIW personnel with regards to the request of Miss Cassie Ong, considering she is under stress and would need a companion inside. If the CIW personnel and if the committee would subscribe and agree to that request,” said Barbers.

“There are some protocols we should follow which is why we will ask the committee secretary to coordinate with the CIW with respect to the protocols and report to this committee the reply of the CIW personnel,” he added.

For his part, Paduano suggested to the panel they should grant Ong’s request.

“I-go na natin kaysa naman mag-hearing pa tayo for this matter or wait for the next hearing,” the lawmaker said.

But Rep. Barbers said they should wait for CIW’s response on the matter before they grant Ong’s request.

Lanao del Sur First District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong suggested that a psychiatrist should monitor or assess Ong.

Ong, an authorized representative of Lucky South 99, was cited in contempt on Sept. 19 for the second time for “lying.” She was ordered transferred to the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong to "serve the rest of her detention."

In late September, Ong was hospitalized due to low blood sugar and blood pressure following her appearance at the House mega-panel.

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