The House Quad Committee resumed the hearing on the investigation of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) operations on Wednesday, September 3.
During the hearing, Cassandra Ong denied having any deeper involvement with Lucky South 99 or any POGO activities. She insisted that she had only leased properties that happened to be related to the illegal operations. However, the house panel was unimpressed by her statements, citing the inconsistencies with her statement.
During the hearing, the House panel questioned her on the illegal operations in Porac, Pampanga. They cited numerous crimes related to human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and others that were linked to the results of the previous investigations conducted by authorities.
However, Ong continuously denied her relations, stressing that she was only there for leasing properties. The panel also noted that the former did not push through with the agreement, as she failed to sign the waiver.
“Isantabi mo muna yung waiver. It will derail the purpose of this investigation. Kung hindi ka magwe-waiver, eventually hindi namin makikita yung bank transaction mo na maaaring doon namin makita yung mga sinasabi naming malalaking tao na involved sa operation ng POGO,” Cong. Dan Fernandez said.
Moreover, she insisted that she only paid and presented for Lucky South 99, but had no deeper involvement with the operations. Inconsistencies arose when Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Ty Pimental specified that her name appears in most of the company documents. Moreover, it was also found that Ong purchased and acquired the raided mansion worth Php2.5 billion in Porac, Pampanga.
Ong refuted by stating that her investment came from her late mother and assured the committee that none of the money from the illegal activities were used to fund the mansion. However, the committee grew suspicious and believed that Ong is withholding information on the POGO operations.
“Let it be put on record that Cassie Ong is lying, because inconsistent yung sinasabi niya kanina. Nakikinig lang ako, she's not representing the Lucky South 99, but here comes the payment of accounts. Siya ang bumayad. Kahit sabihin mo (Ong) pa na hindi mo pera; from Cheng, but still you represent Lucky South 99 and PAGCOR to settle that account,” Cong. Joseph Stephen Paduano stressed.
Ong admitted to applying for the license renewal for Lucky South 99 at PAGCOR, including the corporation’s back expenses worth USD500,000.
However, the interpellation was halted when Ong suddenly became ill while it was ongoing. She was immediately attended by the medical team who said that she required further tests due to hypertension and low blood sugar.
