No correctional but House detention for Cassandra Ong

Cassandra Ong no longer faces detention at the Mandaluyong Women's Correctional Facility, but will remain under the custody of the House of Representatives.

The four House committees looking into Ong's Lucky South 99's alleged link to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) illegal operations withdrew its second contempt citation after she suddenly became "cooperative" during the proceedings.

Laguna Representative Dan Fernandez, one of the chairpersons of the panels, said the first contempt order on Ong stays, which meant that she would remain under the House custody.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers, another panel head, said the second contempt order was lifted, following a motion by Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, "in consideration of the cooperation by Ong in this committee hearing."

The panels also lifted the contempt and subsequent detention order against Lucky South 99 documented corporate secretary Ronelyn Baterna.

Baterna earlier told the House probe that she issued cheques to Lucky South 99 clients, and that the biggest amount of cheque she issued was worth P500,000.

The money for the cheques, Baterna said, was from Ong.

Ong, who initially refused to answer queries, later relented and said she had multiple accounts in Chinabank which she uses for Lucky South 99 transactions. She added she is involved in the real estate business which rents out office spaces for POGO hubs, including Lucky South 99.

Ong also said she left Manila via the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to go to Singapore, then later to Malaysia where she met her boyfriend Wesley Guo, the brother of former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and Shiela Guo.

“Nagmessage po sa akin si Wesley Guo at that time at pinuntahan po namin siya,” Ong said.

Ong said she and the Guos traveled to Batam, Indonesia, where she and Shiela were arrested by authorities and deported back to the Philippines.

Ong was initially cited in contempt and ordered to be detained at the correctional facility for refusal to answer questions by invoking her right to remain silent, if not saying "I refuse to testify." —LDF, GMA Integrated News