Senate seeks POGO rep Ong’s testimony amid contempt threat

On Tuesday, senators urged the House of Representatives to permit Cassandra Li Ong, an authorized representative from a raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga, to attend a Senate inquiry regarding the alleged escape of dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo and her companions.

The four House committees investigating POGO-related crimes have now allowed Ong to testify before the Senate on Monday, September 2.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III suggested that since the quad committee’s hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Ong could still attend today's Senate inquiry without conflicting with her other commitments.

Senator Risa Hontiveros and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian supported Pimentel's appeal, noting that a subpoena was issued to Ong on June 26 and she faces a pending citation for contempt since July 10.

Ong’s legal team wrote the Senate subcommittee stating her intent not to testify due to her right against self-incrimination; however, Hontiveros cited a Supreme Court ruling that such rights cannot justify outright refusal to appear before a Senate committee.