Cassandra Ong Being Eyed as State Witness in POGO Probe; Cited in Contempt

August 30, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

The House of Representatives’ quad committee is considering whether to allow Katherine Cassandra Li Ong to become a state witness in its investigation into Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in Porac, Pampanga. Ong is an incorporator of Whirlwind Corp., which leased land to Lucky South 99, where Ong is also a consultant. Police raided the POGO hub Lucky South 99 in June 2024 for various violations.

Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, co-chair of the committee and head of the Dangerous Drugs Panel, described Ong’s connection to Lucky South 99 as “deep.” Ong testified at the committee’s hearing on August 28 but was largely uncooperative, opting not to answer most of the lawmakers’ questions.

Ong described her involvement as primarily related to Whirlwind’s real estate business, which rents out office spaces for POGO hubs including Lucky South 99. She acknowledged her relationship with Wesley Guo, the brother of the dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo. Ong revealed that she traveled to Singapore and Malaysia to meet her boyfriend and his siblings and later went to Batam, Indonesia, where she and Shiela Guo were detained and deported to the Philippines.

Rep. Dan Fernandez, chair of the Public Safety and Order Panel, proposed that Ong speak during an executive session but she chose to consult with her lawyers first. Fernandez also suggested offering Ong “immunity” but she responded that she would seek legal advice before deciding.

“What we’re trying to offer to you is something that you have really to think over. Because we talked about this earlier, you are really young to be jailed. This will have no bail. This means, once they filed it, then you cannot go out of jail. I hope you take this chance,” Fernandez was quoted as saying in a report published by the Philippine Star.

Despite the offers, Ong remained reticent, leading Rep. Benny Abante, co-chair of the committee and head of the Human Rights Panel, to motion for Ong to be cited in contempt once again. Ong will be held at the House detention facility until her contempt citation is resolved.

In an interview with “Storycon” on One News, Rep. Barbers confirmed that Ong might be considered as a state witness if she cooperates fully. “We offered to her the possibility of becoming a state witness,” Barbers said. “But we need to assess first the value of what she will reveal during an executive session. She has not revealed anything so far because we need to call for an executive session first.”

Barbers added that they see potential in Ong’s willingness to cooperate, though she appears hesitant. The House has yet to schedule an executive session with Ong.

Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian criticized the Guo family, labeling them as “professional liars and professional swindlers.” He made these remarks after Shiela Guo testified before the Senate committee investigating the family’s escape.

“We have to be very careful with the Guo family as they seem to be professional liars and professional swindlers. Guo Hua Ping [Alice Guo’s real name] said she was home-schooled, simple, and innocent, but according to the documents and evidence, she is not like that. She is much more sophisticated,” Gatchalian said during the Kapihan sa Maynila forum.

The senator noted inconsistencies in Shiela Guo’s claims of simplicity versus her documented corporate roles. “So how can Shiela Guo claim that she doesn’t know anything and that her life is simple if she holds a high position in their companies?” Gatchalian questioned.