Cassandra Li Ong, the companion of dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo and the latter's supposed "sister" Shiela Guo, faced the House of Representatives quad-committee investigating the links between POGOs, illegal drugs, and extrajudicial killings on Wednesday (August 28).

Ong, who has been implicated in the unlicensed gambling hub Lucky South 99 in Pampanga, repeatedly invoked her right to remain silent and refused to answer questions from the committee members.

For her refusal to cooperate in the investigation, Ong was cited in contempt for the second time, following an earlier contempt order for her non-appearance at a past hearing.

As penalty, the joint panel extended her initial 30-day detention to "until the quad-comm completes its investigation," and changed her detention facility to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong.

FULL STORY: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/...

What went down:
00:00 Cassandra Ong arrives at the quad-committee hearing
00:40 Cassandra Ong takes oath to tell the truth
03:00 Dan Fernandez asks Cassandra Ong to remove her face mask
04:00 Cassandra Ong confirms that she reached out to Dan Fernandez prior to appearing at the hearing
05:00 Dan Fernandez reads the content of Cassandra Ong's text message to him
06:00 Cassandra Ong invokes her right to remain silent
08:00 Cassandra Ong insists on remaining silent, clarifies she is not invoking her right against self-incrimination
11:50 Cassandra Ong requests for a break to consult with her lawyer Ferdinand Topacio
15:30 Cassandra Ong is granted five minutes to consult with Ferdinand Topacio
18:00 Cassandra Ong is asked about her involvement in Lucky South 99
21:00 Ferdinand Topacio is told by lawmakers to stop dictating Cassandra Ong's answers
22:10 Cassandra Ong tells Dan Fernandez: "I refuse to testify po, sorry"
23:20 Ace Barbers warns Cassandra Ong that she will be cited in contempt if she keeps refusing to answer
24:20 The quad-comm moves to cite Cassandra Ong in contempt
26:40 Cassandra Ong is given a chance to explain her refusal to answer questions
28:50 Cassandra Ong explains why opts to remain silent, saying her statements may be used against her in the future
29:40 The quad-comm decides on the penalty of the contempt order against Cassandra Ong

(Video courtesy of the House of Representatives | Thumbnail photo: Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News)

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