The House Committee has lifted Cassandra Ong’s second contempt citation for her willingness to be responsive and cooperate with the panel during the Quad-Committee investigating POGOs, illegal drugs, and extrajudicial killings on Wednesday, August 28.
The committee questioned Ong on her link to the POGO crimes and operations in the country. However, her refusal to testify resulted in a second citation for contempt. The ruling ordered her to be detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong.
With the legal advice of her lawyer, Ong willingly cooperated with the panel and was able to give substantive answers to the questions asked.
Among the details mentioned, Ong recounted her escape. She stated that she traveled from Manila to Singapore via plane at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). From there, she flew to Malaysia where she met Wesley Guo, her boyfriend and brother of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.
Upon their meeting, Ong and the three Guos traveled to Batam, Indonesia, where she and Shiela Guo were arrested.
With Ong’s cooperation, the panel unanimously agreed to withdraw the second contempt order against her. However, the house panel stressed that the first contempt order, which puts her under the custody of the House of Representatives, stays.
Moreover, as the executive assistant at Lucky South 99, she agreed to have her bank records checked. This was after she conformed to the execution of the waiver, including that of Lucky South 99 and the other corporations she is connected to.
The House panel agreed to let Ong attend the upcoming Senate hearing on Monday next week, while she is still under their custody.
