Cassandra Li Ong appears before the House of Representatives House quad committee investigating alleged extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration, the crimes linked to illegal drugs, as well as in POGOs. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — The House quad committee on Wednesday cited Cassandra Li Ong in contempt anew, this time for refusing to answer lawmakers’ questions.

In giving his ruling, Quad Comm lead chair Rep. Ace Barbers said Ong cannot hide behind the right against self incrimination, given previous Supreme Court decisions on the matter.

As a penalty, the House Quad Comm extended Ong's initial 30-day detention to "until the Quad Comm completes its investigation", and to detain her at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong.

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Rep. Dan Fernandez earlier revealed that Ong had once texted and called him to ask for help on what to do. Reading Ong’s message, Fernandez said Ong had said she did not want to be involved in the fight of bigger personalities. 

Asked in the hearing who she was referring to, Ong said she was invoking her right to remain silent.

Photos of documents from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, presented by Fernandez show that Ong is an authorized representative of Lucky South 99.

"Ano ito, malalaking tao ba na Chinese o malalaking tao na mga Pilipino? Mga politician ba ang sinasabi mong ayaw mo ma-involve sa malalaking tao?" Fernandez asked.

"I invoke my right to remain silent po," Ong replied.

"What we are conducting here is not a custodial investigation, where you can invoke your right to remain silent. There have been Supreme Court decisions on this. So I think the witness has to answer, otherwise we will move to cite her in contempt for refusal to answer," House Committee on Games and Amusement Vice Chairperson and Antipolo City 2nd District Representative Romeo Acop said.

Fernandez showed Ong photos of victims of torture "perpetrated" in POGO hubs in Bamban and Porac, as well as photos of the dead, to show the "gravity" of the situation.

Ong said she had not seen the photos.

Legislators also warned lawyer Ferdinand Topacio to refrain from whispering to his client and allow her to answer freely.

"I refuse to testify po, sorry," Ong said when asked about how she was recruited to the company and even questions about where she studied.

Other lawmakers also tried to ask Ong questions regarding her supposed involvement with Lucky South 99, but she also refused to answer.

This prompted House Committee on Human Rights Chairperson Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. to move to cite Ong in contempt, which was seconded by Acop, and approved by the quad comm.

Fernandez offered Ong to answer lawmakers’ questions in an executive session. Ong said she will think about it.

"'Yung sinasabi naming executive session, lahat ng mapapag-usapan natin, hindi pwedeng gamitin 'yun kahit saan at hindi lalabas 'yun. Walang makakaalam ng sasabihin mo sa amin, and more importantly, if you trust this quad comm and if you trust all the members, bibigyan ka namin ng immunity… Hindi ka magkakaroon ng grave kaso. Hindi ka na mapo-prosecute… Napakabata mo pa para makulong ka. Wala kasing bail ito. Once they file it, hindi ka na makakalabas sa kulungan. Kaya I hope, take this chance," Fernandez said.

Ong was previously cited in contempt for snubbing the House panel hearings into illegal POGOs, and was ordered detained at the House of Representatives compound in Quezon City for 30 days.

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