RPPe HOUSE QUAD COMM GRILLS CASSANDRA ONG

The House of Representatives quad committee on Wednesday began questioning Cassandra Li Ong regarding her purported participation in the illicit Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hubs raided in Pampanga. 

Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro at the onset outlined the conditions under which Ong, represented by Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, could invoke her “right to self-incrimination."

Ong earlier sent a letter to the quad committee, stating her decision to decline testifying by invoking the right to remain silent. 

"I deeply lament this action, Mr. Chair," Luistro said, noting that Ong's name had been mentioned by various resource speakers before the quad committee was formed.  

"It is unacceptable for the resource speaker to remain silent and not answer our questions under the guise of her right against self-incrimination," she added.

Ong eventually cooperated with lawmakers during the hearing after narrowly avoiding a second contempt citation for refusing to answer questions. 

She was nearly ordered to be detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City for the duration of the quad committee hearings.

During the hearing, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Assistant Vice President Atty. Jessa Mariz Fernandez, along with Ronalyn Baterna, Stephanie Mascareñas and Alberto Rodolfo De la Serna, all testified that they know Ong.

Baterna said Ong was her boss and used the checks under her name, while Mascareñas described Ong as her co-worker who manages dealings at Lucky South 99. 

Fernandez confirmed that Ong visited PAGCOR in 2023 regarding Lucky South 99 arrears, accompanied by Atty. Harry Roque. 

De la Serna added that Ong allowed him to stay rent-free at the Lucky South 99 compound. 

Their statements highlighted Ong's significant role in the operations of Lucky South 99 and Whirlwind Corporations. 

Ong was offered an executive session to disclose her knowledge of POGO operations in Porac, Pampanga, but has yet to decide.

Further, the quad committee also agreed to let Ong attend the Senate hearing scheduled for Sept. 2.

RPPe Roque's call to topple Marcos govt 'treasonous,' says Abante

House Committee on Human Rights chairman Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante on Monday described as "treasonous" the call of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s presidential spokesperson, Harry Roque, for a people power to topple the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 

“Sa akin, it might also be treasonous eh. Because he's now calling for people power to topple down the present administration,” Abante said. 

Roque's call is not right, Abante added, saying "Eh hindi naman siguro tama ‘yong ganoon ‘di ba?  I mean, it's one thing to be able to rally against the government, it is another thing to say, let us come together so we could be able to topple down this government."

President Marcos is the most popular president ever to be elected into office, garnering more than 33 million votes in an election. 

Roque was earlier detained for 24 hours at the detention facility of the House of Representatives for lying about his absence in a previous hearing of the Quad Committee probe on POGOs, EJKs and illegal drug syndicates. (END)