Cassandra Li Ong, representative of Lucky South 99 POGO, confers with her lawyer during the House of Representatives quad committee hearing on alleged extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration, the crimes linked to illegal drugs, as well as in POGOs on August 28, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA — Two co-chairs of the House Quad Committee believe Cassandra Ong, the authorized representative of Lucky South 99, was a business “dummy”.

Ong had denied being a “dummy” during the Quad Comm hearing last Wednesday, saying she was only an investor in Whirlwind, the real estate company that leased its property to Lucky South 99’s illegal POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.

But House Committee on Dangerous Drugs Chairperson and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said Ong’s source of funding for her supposed investments are unclear.

“Naniniwala ako na dummy lang ito. Number one, hindi clear ang source ng funds niya. Sabi niya, siya ay isang investor. Kung ito man ay galing sa kanyang boyfriend na may so much funds, baka doon galing ito. But again, the question, kaya ko naisip na maaaring dummy lang ito, because for her age, 24, 25 years old. Having that much funds to operate a real estate project in that part of Pampanga, medyo there’s a doubt in me na parang imposible siguro ‘yun,” he explained.

“I am not discounting the fact that the money could have come from her boyfriend or somebody else na nilagay sa kanya to comply with the 60-40 prohibition ng Constitution, nilagay muna sa pangalan niya. Kung kanino galing, ‘yun ang dapat natin malaman. Kaya ako naniniwala dummy siya,” Barbers added.

House Committee on Public Order and Safety Chairperson and Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez shares this view.

“Paano mo mafi-feel na hindi siya dummy, kung ang perang dumaan sa kanya ay milyun-milyon, daang milyon. And even the Whirlwind corporation, ang property nila is almost P2.5 billion… Wala pa diyan ‘yung kinita ng Lucky South 99 na hundreds of millions as well. Saan nanggaling ‘yun? Nagbayad ka ba ng income tax… We also need to find out kung ano ang income o work ng parents, para sabihin na nagkaroon siya ng ganoong kalaking pera. Makikita natin na talagang nagsisinungaling ‘yung bata,” he explained.

Ong’s blood pressure has returned to normal levels after being admitted to a hospital since Wednesday, when her blood pressure fell during the quad comm hearing. 

She underwent diagnostic procedures to determine what triggered the low blood pressure and low blood sugar.

If Ong still refuses to cooperate in the House Quad Comm investigation, Barbers and Fernandez said she might be cited in contempt for the third time, and be brought to women’s correctional facility as penalty. 

When Ong was cited in contempt the second time, she was ordered detained at the House of Representatives until joint panel completes its probe.

WHIRLWIND BOSS

Barbers, meanwhile, questioned the background of WhirlWind’s top executive Duanren Wu, who is said to be a former police officer in China.

“Sabi ko kung police officer ito, how could this guy amass so much wealth from being a policeman in China? Maaaring mayroong nasa likod nito na sindikato na nagbibigay ng pondo para hugasan, i-money laundering dito sa atin through POGO. ‘Yun ang aming teorya,” the lawmaker said.

Barbers also received information that Chinese individuals, who tortured Chinese workers in illegal POGOs, could be former cops in China.

“Maaaring tinanggal ito because of their bad records. And because of their bad record, they are probably linked or connected with a criminal syndicate or organization in China. And they have operated outside of China, kasi doon takot sila eh. So, maaaring dito hindi sila natakot,” he said.

The House Quad Comm will resume its hearing on Thursday.