Cassandra Ong cited in contempt anew, ordered detained for 30 days | ABS-CBN
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Cassandra Ong cited in contempt anew, ordered detained for 30 days
Cassandra Ong cited in contempt anew, ordered detained for 30 days
Published Sep 20, 2024 10:40 AM PHT
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Updated Sep 20, 2024 03:10 PM PHT
MANILA – The House Quad Committee on Thursday night ordered the 30-day detention of Cassandra Li Ong at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong after being cited in contempt for the second time.
MANILA – The House Quad Committee on Thursday night ordered the 30-day detention of Cassandra Li Ong at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong after being cited in contempt for the second time.
The Quadcom accused Ong, representative of Lucky South 99 POGO, of “lying” when lawmakers sought answers about her education.
The Quadcom accused Ong, representative of Lucky South 99 POGO, of “lying” when lawmakers sought answers about her education.
The committee sought answers from Ong regarding her completion under the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
The committee sought answers from Ong regarding her completion under the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
Ong also said she could no longer remember her classmates when lawmakers showed a photo of her during graduation.
Ong also said she could no longer remember her classmates when lawmakers showed a photo of her during graduation.
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“Siguro sila graduating… possible kilala ko sila,” Ong said when shown her photos.
“Siguro sila graduating… possible kilala ko sila,” Ong said when shown her photos.
But some lawmakers noted inconsistencies in some of her answers.
But some lawmakers noted inconsistencies in some of her answers.
“Baka hindi ka sa ALS, baka sa ibang bansa ka nag-aral,” said Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano. “Tinatanong kita kung anong school. Incriminating ba ang tanong ko?”
“Baka hindi ka sa ALS, baka sa ibang bansa ka nag-aral,” said Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano. “Tinatanong kita kung anong school. Incriminating ba ang tanong ko?”
“Hindi ko lang alam kung anong school,” said Ong.
“Hindi ko lang alam kung anong school,” said Ong.
This was when Paduano told her she was lying. He said the question was meant to get her records from her previous school.
This was when Paduano told her she was lying. He said the question was meant to get her records from her previous school.
The exchange prompted Paduano to cite Ong in contempt for the second time, which was approved by Rep. Ace Barbers.
The exchange prompted Paduano to cite Ong in contempt for the second time, which was approved by Rep. Ace Barbers.
Members of the committee did not object the motion.
Members of the committee did not object the motion.
In a release, the House described the facility as something that “typically houses those whose convictions are final, much like its male counterpart, the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.”
In a release, the House described the facility as something that “typically houses those whose convictions are final, much like its male counterpart, the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.”
She will be transferred to the Women's Correctional on Sept. 26, according to the House.
She will be transferred to the Women's Correctional on Sept. 26, according to the House.
This is supposedly the last day of her 30-day detention from her first contempt order last Aug. 28.
This is supposedly the last day of her 30-day detention from her first contempt order last Aug. 28.
‘ABUSE OF CONTEMPT POWER’
Ong’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said the latest contempt order was an “abuse of contempt power” of the legislature.
“Binabalewala po nila yung right to remain silent na hindi ko naman po alam kung bakit. Ang sinasabi ko nga po, to remain silent is in the Constitution. When you take your oath of office, you swear to uphold and protect all the laws of the Philippines, including the Constitution,” Topacio said.
“Bakit sila pong mga mambabatas ang lumalabag sa batas? I want to remind them, sila po ay mambabatas. Hindi po sila ang batas,” he added.
Topacio claimed the inquiry was no longer in aid of legislation and “has outrun the bounds of reason and has resulted in sheer oppression.”
He noted that under a 2023 Supreme Court ruling, witnesses should be accorded due process and allowed to explain why a contempt order should not be issued.
The lawyer said he would write the committee a letter on Monday stating his legal position.
“Binabalewala po nila yung right to remain silent na hindi ko naman po alam kung bakit. Ang sinasabi ko nga po, to remain silent is in the Constitution. When you take your oath of office, you swear to uphold and protect all the laws of the Philippines, including the Constitution,” Topacio said.
“Bakit sila pong mga mambabatas ang lumalabag sa batas? I want to remind them, sila po ay mambabatas. Hindi po sila ang batas,” he added.
Topacio claimed the inquiry was no longer in aid of legislation and “has outrun the bounds of reason and has resulted in sheer oppression.”
He noted that under a 2023 Supreme Court ruling, witnesses should be accorded due process and allowed to explain why a contempt order should not be issued.
The lawyer said he would write the committee a letter on Monday stating his legal position.
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Topacio earlier filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court for Congress to recognize Ong’s constitutional right to remain silent during its quadcom hearings.
He said would supplement his petition “to bring to the attention of the High Tribunal these latest abuses.”
Topacio earlier filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court for Congress to recognize Ong’s constitutional right to remain silent during its quadcom hearings.
He said would supplement his petition “to bring to the attention of the High Tribunal these latest abuses.”
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Topacio said he has not yet spoken to his client since Thursday night.
“Of course, na-istress siya. We have already brought to the attention of the legislators na nagkakaroon ng mental health problems si Cassandra. Kita niyo naman kahapon. Ngunit ayaw nilang paliwalaan. Wala po tayong magagawa if our legislators have turned into monsters na parang they take glee and delight in tormenting their fellow human beings,” he said.
Topacio said he has not yet spoken to his client since Thursday night.
“Of course, na-istress siya. We have already brought to the attention of the legislators na nagkakaroon ng mental health problems si Cassandra. Kita niyo naman kahapon. Ngunit ayaw nilang paliwalaan. Wala po tayong magagawa if our legislators have turned into monsters na parang they take glee and delight in tormenting their fellow human beings,” he said.
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