Katherine Cassandra Ong, an incorporator of Whirlwind Corporation, was presented before the House of Representatives’ quad-committee to hear her side regarding issues surrounding the Pogo hub in Porac, Pampanga. Whirlwind only leased land to Pogo hub operator Lucky South 99, but several lawmakers believe that Ong is possibly involved in both companies. - Photo from the House of Representatives media bureau
MANILA: The Department of Justice filed criminal charges against Cassandra Li Ong and Shiela Guo, supposed sister of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, in the Pasay Regional Trial Court, Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez confirmed on Wednesday (Aug 28).
Shiela, also known as Zhang Mier, was charged with disobedience to summons issued by the Senate in violation of Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and for using a fake Philippine passport in violation of Republic Act No. 11983, or the Philippine Passport Act.
Ong, the authorised representative of the raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga, was likewise charged with violating Article 150 of the RPC, but for disobedience to the summons issued by the House of Representatives.
Second offence
On top of this, another charge of obstruction of justice for allegedly harbouring, concealing or facilitating the escape of a criminal offender, in violation of Section 1(c) of Presidential Decree No. 1829, was filed against her.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives’ quad committee cited Ong in contempt a second time for again refusing to answer questions from lawmakers.
During her first citation on Aug. 26, she was placed in the lower chamber’s detention facility.
The motion was made by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. as lawmakers also expressed irritation at her lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, whom they accused of coaching Ong into stonewalling the probe.
1-Rider Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong asked that Ong be given a chance to explain because it would be the first time that a resource person would ever be cited for contempt twice during the same investigation.
“It is her right to remain silent. Cite her (for) contempt if you must. But to threaten, to scare, to bully anyone to give up the right to remain silent and against self-incrimination, we will not take that sitting down,” Topacio said.
The supercommittee’s lead chair, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, approved the citation for contempt and ordered that Ong be detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City until the panel comes out with its report.
Earlier this week, Shiela testified before the Senate about how she, Alice Guo and her brother Wesley fled the country in the first week of July.
Shiela claimed at the Senate that she is a Chinese national who illegally acquired Philippine citizenship and that she was actually born in China.
According to her, they boarded three different boats, including a fishing vessel, before they made it to Sabah, Malaysia, on July 18 and then flew to Singapore.
‘Incredible testimony’
From the city-state, she said their group rode a ferry to Batam, Indonesia, where they were arrested by immigration authorities on Aug 22.
But Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said he found Shiela’s account of the events hard to believe.
“We have a problem with the reliability of what she was saying. She’s not a reliable witness so far,” Remulla said. “I don’t believe Shiela Guo. I don’t believe what she is saying.”
During a Senate hearing on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) 2025 budget, Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said Remulla directed him to work with the National Bureau of Investigation in checking the veracity of Shiela’s claims.
Ty likewise said the DOJ was looking into Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ claim that Alice Guo and her siblings paid P200 million in bribes to leave the country.
The Philippine Coast Guard has also started investigating the supposed escape route.
But Cmdr. Euphraim Jayson Diciano, chief of the PCG Zambales station, said that while it was possible, it was unlikely considering the distances involved, the provisions needed and the vessel’s ability to withstand the southwest monsoon (habagat).
Still, he acknowledged that “with the right resources, opportunity, and strong intent, it is entirely possible to leave, given the country’s porous borders and limited monitoring equipment. That is the sad reality.” - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
