By Junex Doronio

MANILA — The House Quad Committee on Thursday (19 Sept 2024) night ordered a 30-day detention of Katherine Cassandra Li Ong at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, after citing her for contempt for the second time, this time for “lying” during the ongoing investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Currently detained at the House of Representatives, Ong will be transferred to the CIW after her initial 30-day contempt penalty for skipping hearings. Her incarceration at the CIW) will end on September 26.

The CIW is the country’s sole penal facility exclusively for women offenders, typically housing those with final convictions, much like its male counterpart, the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Ong, linked to a POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga that was raided for various illegal activities, was cited for contempt again after allegedly providing false testimony about her educational background.

Abang Lingkod Partylist Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, co-chair of the Quad Committee, questioned Ong’s claim of completing the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in 2016 or 2017, pointing out inconsistencies in her statements about where she attended the program.

During a heated exchange, Paduano expressed frustration over Ong’s failure to provide specific details about her schooling.

“You’re lying, Ms. Cassandra Ong. Remember, you were previously cited in contempt, and I will cite you again for lying,” Paduano said, after Ong struggled to recall basic information about her education.

Ong claimed she had difficulty remembering the name of the public school where she allegedly enrolled in ALS, stating she had “forgotten” the details.

However, Paduano was unconvinced, finding Ong’s explanation implausible. “Kahit sinong tanungin mo dito, alam nila kung saan sila nag-elementary, saan sila nag-high school,” he remarked.

Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop agreed, adding, “I’m older, but I still remember where I graduated from elementary. And you, so young, can’t even recall where you studied? Anak ng tinapay naman.”

Paduano further questioned the suspicious nature of Ong’s inability to provide details. “Pwede ba ‘yan na hindi mo alam kung saang school ka na-enroll for ALS? Or maybe you didn’t take ALS. Maybe you studied abroad,” he speculated.

Following the exchange, Paduano moved to cite Ong in contempt for a second time, a motion swiftly approved by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the overall chair of the Quad Committee, with no objections raised.

Rep. Acop then proposed transferring Ong to CIW if the detention facility inside the House of Representatives was full.

“Since Ms. Cassandra Ong has already been cited in contempt, may I move that she be detained at the Correctional Institution for Women,” Acop said. The motion was also approved without objections.

The House Quad Committee has intensified its investigation into illegal POGO operations and their links to illicit activities, including money laundering, human trafficking, and drug smuggling.

Ong’s testimony, or lack thereof, has been a focal point of the probe as lawmakers continue to scrutinize her involvement in Lucky South 99, whose POGO hub in Porac was raided last June.

Ong was first cited for contempt by the House after repeatedly failing to attend hearings related to POGO-related crimes.

On August 23, Ong was arrested in Jakarta, Indonesia, along with Shiela Guo, sister of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, also allegedly involved in illegal POGO operations.

Both were deported to the Philippines, with Ong handed over to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) before being transferred to House custody.

ia/mnm