Cassandra Li Ong refused to appear and speak before a Senate panel looking into how she and her associates fled the Philippines without being detected by authorities, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said on Tuesday.

Cassandra Li Ong  08272024

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17247280840181724395361460455276057_1183136339624883_3516128738718961832_n.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Cassandra Li Ong arrives in the Philippines on Aug. 22, 2024 following their apprehension in Indonesia. <em>Bureau of Immigration</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Cassandra Li Ong, the official representative of unlicensed gambling hub Lucky South 99 in Pampanga, refused to appear and speak before a Senate panel looking into how she and her associates fled the Philippines without being detected by authorities, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said on Tuesday.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/23/paocc-says-lucky-south-99-ex-boss-helped-guo-group-in-indonesia-1430">• Ex-POGO boss &#x27;helped&#x27; Guo group in Indonesia, says PAOCC</a></div><p>Ong and Shiela Guo, the sister of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, were nabbed in Batam, Indonesia and were brought back to the Philippines due to warrants issued by congressional bodies investigating in aid of legislation.</p><p>“Ms. Ong has opted to decline from testifying on any matter that may be raised by the committees in the exercise of the right to remain silent and against being compelled to testify against herself,” Hontiveros said, reading a letter from Ong’s legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio.</p><p>“I’m sure Attorney Topacio understands that his arguments are premature and are wholly unnecessary,” the senator said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/26/cassandra-ong-s-camp-confirms-photo-with-marcos-jr-first-lady-1824"></a><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/26/cassandra-ong-s-camp-confirms-photo-with-marcos-jr-first-lady-1824">• Cassandra Ong&#x27;s camp confirms photo with Marcos Jr., First Lady</a></div><p>Hontiveros cited the case of Sabio vs Gordon “where the court ruled that the right against self-incrimination cannot justify one’s outright refusal to appear before a Senate committee.”</p><p>“This right may only be invoked when only the incriminating question is being asked,” the senator said.</p><p>Ong — who is identified as the official representative of Lucky South 99 — is under the custody of the House of Representatives. Lucky South 99’s compound was raided by authorities earlier this year after reports of illegal activities in the said Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.</p><p>Ong has also tapped Harry Roque — former President Rodrigo Duterte’s former spokesperson — to help fix several legal issues.</p><p>Hontiveros asked the committee secretariat to check if Ong can join the Senate hearing via an online link.</p><p>The Senate panel has sent a letter to their House counterparts to request Ong’s presence in their hearing, but the secretariat has yet to receive a response.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GpP1n_7KKCo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Cassandra Li Ong refused to appear and speak before a Senate panel looking into how she and her associates fled the Philippines without being detected by authorities, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said on Tuesday.</p>

Lucky South 99's Cassandra Ong cites right vs self-incrimination in refusing Senate probe | ABS-CBN

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Lucky South 99's Cassandra Ong cites right vs self-incrimination in refusing Senate probe

Lucky South 99's Cassandra Ong cites right vs self-incrimination in refusing Senate probe

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 27, 2024 11:24 AM PHT

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