The President’s special envoy to China denied Monday any link between the First Couple and Cassandra Ong, who was arrested in Indonesia recently over her alleged links to a massive POGO operation in Porac, Pampanga.

Cassandra Ong's camp confirms photo with Marcos Jr., First Lady

Speaking to reporters, Presidential Special Envoy to China Benito Techico confirmed the authenticity of a group photo showing Ong with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, First Lady Liza Marcos, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Director Jose Maria Ortega,  former Customs official Noel Patrick Prudente, retired General Noel Estanislao, and a certain Mr. Wo who owns a POGO in Porac, Pampanga.

Techico, who is also in the photo, said the picture was taken in November 2020 right after the COVID lockdown, or nearly 2 years before Marcos was elected President.

He said the group was having dinner when the restaurant owner asked if they could have a photo with Ong, whom they did not know. He said Marcos always obliged to have his photo taken whenever he is recognized in public places, which is what happened when Ong had her picture taken with the group.

“Nangyari lang po na after dinner, may pinakilala ‘yung restaurant owner na hindi naman namin alam kung sino at humingi ng retrato. Palagay ko 2020 pa ‘yun kung hindi ako nagkakamali. Ang ating Presidente naman pinayagan naman ho,” he told media.

“Pumasok, nagpakilala, gustong magpa-picture at pinayagan at after that, lumampas na po. Ganun lang siyang kasimple na istorya...Ang retrato ay totoo pero ang istorya ay mali,” he added. 

Ferdinand Topacio, lawyer of Cassandra Li Ong, earlier confirmed the authenticity the photo of Ong with the Marcoses but declined to give details.

He said Ong admitted she has information on POGO operations, saying the picture "may hold the clue as to why POGO operations, especially illegal POGO, multiplied during the time of President Marcos.”

“Because they were being aided and abetted by some officials of the present administration. Sabi nga nila a picture speaks a thousand words," Topacio claimed.

"Bahala na kayo mag-conclude kung sino nag-aid and abet ng POGO operations. Ito na rin sigurong picture na ito ang clue kung bakit nagkaroon bigla ng crackdown sa POGO operations. Kasi ang alam natin, alam nating lahat ‘yan eh, dalawa ‘yung POGO eh, ‘yung sa Porac at saka sa Island Cove sa Cavite province. Andito na lahat ng clues," he claimed.

Techico, however, refuted any links between the Marcoses and POGOs, saying the building of POGO operations takes time especially since Marcos only took over as President in July 2022.

He said he hopes the release of the photo by Ong’s lawyer is not politically motivated.

“Atty. Topacio, let’s just move forward, ‘yung katotohanan lamang, kapag totoo ka, itong litrato na ‘to, ‘yung storyang ipinalabas, ay sige lang, pero pag hindi po, wag naman po sana. Kung meron kayong hard evidence na sinasabing ganito, wala ho tayong magagawa, pero ako, 100 percent ang sinasabi ko ay imposibleng totoo ang istorya,” he said.

“May kanya kanyang perception kasi no, may kanya kanyang perception, may kanya kanyang analysis, photo or images can tell a a lot of stories, so baka lang iba ho ang nag advise, mali ‘yung advise sa kanya.”

FRIENDS DEFEND MARCOS

Techico during the same briefing presented the social media statements of some of Marcos Jr’s friends who were also in the picture. Sandy Daza, Ricky Alfonso, Noel Prudente, and Pepe Ortega echoed Techico’s narration of the events leading to the picture.

“These Chinese customers requested a picture with us; and our then non candidate BBM & FL (& us Eating Foodie Friends) accommodated other restaurant patrons upon their persistent request... Even waiters & waitresses requested pictures w/ us. You see BBM never lost his popularity. He was like a ‘rock star’ because many believed he had been cheated in the last VP elections,” former Undersecretary Ricky Alfonso said.

“I was in that dinner and I know exactly of what transpired. Sometime during the pandemic, we were eating in HaoHao restaurant and there were some Chinese people who asked if we could take a photo with our group. Of course, PBBM obliged. After the picture was taken, they left the table. Many of the waiters and waitresses also asked to have their picture taken with PBBM & FL LAM,” popular Filipino chef Sandy Daza said.

“I’ve known PBBM for more than 40 years. I was present at that diner in Hao Hao some years before BBM became President. I had a beard that time so it WAS COVID TIME. We had dinner and after dinner, some people wanted to have a picture with our Rock Star BBM! That’s It folks!” Ortega meanwhile said.

Prudente said friends of Marcos Jr are not surprised when people line up for a photo opportunity with him.

“The malicious photo that are being spread on social media was taken before he became president. During our socials events, we friends are not surprise(d) when people line up for a photo op with them. Given the kind hearted nature of my friends they always find time to happily give in to these kind of public affection regardless of social status and affiliation,” he said.