Alice Guo, Tony Yang, and Cassandra Ong were previously held in contempt for various reasons during the investigation on their links to POGOs.
A congressional panel in the Philippines has lifted contempt orders against several key individuals linked to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) industry, including Alice Guo, Cassandra “Cassie” Ong, and Tony Yang. Lawmakers cited multiple reasons.
These individuals were previously held in contempt for various reasons during the investigation on their links to POGOs. Reports indicate that this stemmed from their perceived lack of cooperation, evasive answers, or failure to provide information deemed crucial to the probe.
Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano said former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Guo, who is accused of being Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, was already detained due to an active criminal case.
“Since Alice Guo is now detained by virtue of the court order, I move that we now lift the contempt order versus Guo Hua Ping alias Alice Guo,” Paduano was quoted as saying in a GMA News Online report. Alice Guo remains in detention due to the said criminal case.
Guo was cited for contempt by the QuadComm in September for refusing to answer questions. Meanwhile, Paduano moved to lift the contempt and detention order against Ong because of her medical condition.
“She is sick. She is currently detained at the Correctional Institution for Women and the doctors of the CIW and the House of Representatives confirm that she is not fit to attend and withstand the congressional hearings,” Paduano shared.
A similar motion was filed and carried for Yang, who Paduano says is confined at a hospital in Taguig “with a doctor’s certificate.”
Yang is under the custody of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).Yang has been held at the PAOCC facility since being found in contempt for providing false statements.
The Chinese national previously acknowledged that he had fabricated his Filipino citizenship. He is the sibling of Michael Yang, who served as an economic adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Last week, Yang’s attorney, Atty. Raymond Fortun, revealed that his client had been diagnosed with a lung condition before his arrest in September.
Police Major Leo Laraga’s contempt order was also lifted “in the spirit of Christmas.” He was of one of the police officers who served a search warrant to the late Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa.
The lifting of contempt orders for Guo, Ong, and Yang is a significant development in the POGO probe. Its impact on the overall investigation remains to be seen, but it signifies a shift in the panel's approach and potentially opens new avenues for gathering information. Further details are expected as the inquiry progresses, clarifying the reasons for the lifted orders and the ongoing detention of Alice Guo.
Read related article: POGOs Brought in P166.49 Billion According to Dept of Finance
تعليقات