MANILA, Philippines – Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, legal counsel of Lucky South 99 authorized representative Katherine Cassadra Li Ong said that his client confirmed the authenticity of the photo where she is seen with no less than President Marcos Jr. and First Lady Lisa Marcos having dinner together with government officials and controversial personalities identified with offshore gaming operations in the Philippines.
“Ms. Cassandra Li Ong confirms the authenticity of this picture,” Topacio said in a press conference Monday.
“Sabi niya ang nakikita niyo rito sa picture na ito talagang nandiyan at the same time at this place and on that date with President Marcos with First Lady Lisa Marcos,” Topacio said quoting Ong.
Included in the photo were several past and present government officials including Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Director Jose Maria Ortega and Special Envoy to China Benito Techico and former Bureau of Customs official Noel Patrick Prudente, Retired General Noel Estanislao.
Noticeably, a certain Mr. Wo, whose name frequently surfaces in the Quad Committee investigations of the House of Representatives and said to own a POGO company in Porac, Pampanga is also present.
House Quad Committee Chair Robert “Ace” Barbers said however that the photo does not hold value yet unless direct link is proven among the personalities shown in it.
“Hindi ko pa nakikita ‘yung picture. Pero kung picture lang na magkatabi, I don’t think it has value. Kasi di ba kaming mga pulitiko, normal naman na may ganyang mga litrato. Unless may pruweba directly linking me to the illegal activities of the person beside me in the photo. Sa tingin ko hindi naman material ‘yun,” Barbers said.
Topacio, nonetheless, ended it on the thought, “the thing speaks for itself.”
In his latest State of the Nation Address, Marcos ordered a complete ban of all POGOs in the country – an announcement that earned him a standing ovation even from his critics.
The Palace has yet to issue a statement on the photo.
