Manila Bulletin
'I refuse to answer': Cassandra Ong's first House hearing turns into roller-coaster ride
The House of Representatives' quad-committee initially cited POGO official Cassandra Ong for contempt for the second time during a hearing on Wednesday, August 28.
Ong, a representative for Lucky South 99 and corporate secretary for Whirlwind Corporation, refused to answer basic questions about her education and prior employment, invoking her right to remain silent.
The contempt citation was prompted by her initial refusal to answer questions, similar to a previous contempt order she faced for not attending hearings.
After learning she would be transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women, Ong became emotional and began to cooperate with the lawmakers.
She eventually answered questions and signed a bank secrecy waiver, leading to the lifting of the second contempt order.
Despite the rescinded order, a first contempt order against Ong remains, and she continues to be under House custody.
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See how different news organizations are covering this story. Below are the original articles from various Philippine news sources that contributed to this summary.
Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, an associate of former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and representative for Lucky South 99, remains in the custody of the House of Representatives.
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The House of Representatives has issued an order to take into custody and detain Cassandra Li Ong, the official representative of a POGO service provider, for 30 days at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.
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Senators formally requested the House of Representatives to permit Cassandra Li Ong, representative of a POGO hub, to attend a Senate inquiry regarding the alleged escape of former Bamban mayor Alice Guo.
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Cassandra Ong, 24, denied being a "dummy" for a Philippine offshore gaming operation (POGO) during a House of Representatives hearing.
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Cassandra Li Ong, a stakeholder of Whirlwind Corporation, was temporarily excused from the House of Representatives quad-committee hearings on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) due to medical reasons.
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