MANILA, Philippines – Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, identified as Lucky South 99 authorized distributor, has now been transferred to the House of Representatives Monday.
The NBI vehicle carrying Ong arrived at the House of Representatives compound in Quezon City around 12:20 p.m. Ong was officially received by House Sergeant-at-Arms, retired Police Maj. Gen. Napoleon Taas at 12:57 p.m. NBI Assistant Director Winmar Ramos signed the turnover papers.
An order was issued last Thursday by the House of Representatives to take Ong into its custody and to detain her in a facility at the Batasang Pambansa compound for 30 days.
An arrest warrant was issued by the lower chamber to Ong for consistently snubbing the House hearing on illegal offshore gaming operations.
House Quad Committee chair Rep. Robert “Ace” Barbers had earlier said that Ong’s testimony will be crucial in the direction of the investigation on POGO.
“She is our only link doon sa Lucky South 99 at doon sa ibang illegal POGO hubs that were raided by PAOCC. Malaki ang participation niya because she appears to be the liaison between these two illegal POGOs and PAGCOR,” Barbers said.
House Committee on Human Rights Chairperson Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. said Ong’s testimony will give clarity on former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s true participation in the raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.
“Her presence in the next hearing will allow us to ascertain the nature of Atty. Harry Roque’s ties with Lucky South 99. During our hearings, lawyer Roque has insisted that he has not been lawyering for this POGO, despite evidence to the contrary. Ang sinasabi niya ang client niya ay itong service provider lang,” Abante said.
Meanwhile, Shiela Guo, believed to be sister of dismissed Bamban Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, intercepted with Ong in Indonesia was already transferred to the Senate where she is ordered to serve her warrant.
Ong’s legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio said in an interview that should questions on Ong be self-incriminatory, he advised her to invoke her right against self-incrimination.
He also said Ong indeed had information on POGO operations in the Philippines.
