Cassandra Li Ong arrives in the Philippines on Aug. 22, 2024 following their apprehension in Indonesia. Bureau of Immigration

MANILA (UPDATED) — Cassandra Li Ong, who is being linked to a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Porac Pampanga, has been transferred to the custody of the House of Representatives on Monday from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

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The NBI vehicle carrying Ong arrived at the House of Representatives compound in Quezon City around 12:20 p.m. House Sergeant-at-Arms, retired Police Maj. Gen. Napoleon Taas, officially received Ong at 12:57 in the afternoon Monday from the NBI, with turnover papers signed by NBI Assistant Director Winmar Ramos.

According to the turnover papers, Ong was informed of her legal rights, including the right to remain silent, the right to counsel, the right to bail, protection against torture, and prohibition of unlawful detention. All her personal belongings were handed over to her, with an acknowledgment signed by Ong. The NBI has requested to be notified before any decision to release Ong from Congress custody.

“Ms. Cassandra Ong has been transferred to the custody of the HRep,” House Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed in a text message.

Last Thursday, the House of Representatives issued an order to take Ong into its custody and to detain her in a facility at the Batasang Pambansa compound in Quezon City for 30 days.

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She was previously cited in contempt for snubbing the House panel hearings into illegal POGOs.

A co-chairman of the House Quad Committee, Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, said Ong’s testimony is crucial in the investigations being conducted by the House Quad Committee.

“She is our only link doon sa Lucky South 99 at doon sa ibang illegal POGO hubs that were raided by PAOCC. Malaki ang participation niya because she appears to be the liaison between these two illegal POGOs and PAGCOR,” he explained.

“We also have to get information from her kung sino ang may ari, sino ang abogado, sino ang tumatayong mga incorporators nito. Kasi obviously maraming illegal na activities doon… torture, prostitution, etc.,” Barbers added.

House Committee on Human Rights Chairperson Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. also highlighted the significance of Ong’s testimony in clarifying key issues involving Lucky South 99.

"Her presence in the next hearing will allow us to ascertain the nature of Atty. Harry Roque's ties with Lucky South 99. During our hearings, Atty. Roque has insisted that he has not been lawyering for this POGO, despite evidence to the contrary. Ang sinasabi niya ang client niya ay itong service provider lang,” Abante explained.

“As the saying goes, 'If it walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it is most likely a duck.' The actions of Atty. Roque on behalf of Lucky South 99 belie his words, and we believe Ms. Ong can help us settle this matter once and for all,” he added.

Ong, the representative of a company that provides services to POGOs like Lucky South 99, was taken into custody by authorities in Indonesia. She and Sheila Guo, the sister of Alice Guo, were deported to the Philippines last Thursday.

SENATE PROBE

The House Quad Comm will still have to decide on an invitation for Ong to attend as resource person in a Senate investigation on POGOs, which will resume hearing on Tuesday.

The quad comm’s next hearing is scheduled on Wednesday. Barbers added he has yet to receive coordination regarding the Senate invite.

“I was with the ComSec, wala naman akong natatanggap na coordination or letter or maybe a call na na hinihingi nila ang presence ni Cassandra Li Ong,” he told the media.

“Ang problema kasi, kailangan muna mag-convene ng Quad Comm to get the approval of the members of the Quad Comm as to whether we will allow Cassandra Li Ong to be present at the Senate hearing tomorrow… Kasi nasa amin ang custody niya, Wednesday ang aming schedule ng hearing, so kami muna ang dapat siguro munang magtanong sa kanya,” he added.

“Siya ay naka detain dito, at ang may custody niyan ay ang House of Representatives. (05:33) Hindi pa siya pinapayagan. Baka hindi siya maka-attend, unless we get the imprimatur from the majority of the members within today, so that we can allow her tomorrow,” Barbers noted.

GROUFIE

The House Quad Comm co-chair also tagged as “immaterial” a photo presented to the media by Ong’s legal counsel Atty. Ferdinand Topacio showing his client beside First Lady Liza Marcos and with other personalities.

“Hindi ko pa nakikita ‘yung picture. Pero kung picture lang na magkatabi, I don’t think it has value. Kasi di ba kaming mga pulitiko, normal naman na may ganyang mga litrato. Unless may pruweba directly linking me to the illegal activities of the person beside me in the photo. Sa tingin ko hindi naman material ‘yun,” Barbers said.

Ong, the representative of a company that provides services to POGOs like Lucky South 99, was taken into custody by authorities in Indonesia.

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She and Sheila Guo, the sister of Alice Guo, were deported to the Philippines last Thursday.

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