Cassandra Ong still at hospital, skips Senate probe on illegal POGOs

Cassandra Li Ong skipped another Senate investigation on Monday because she was still at a hospital in Taguig City.

Last Thursday, Ong skipped the continuation of the Senate justice and human rights subcommittee's investigation into the supposed escape of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

This time, Ong skipped the continuation of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality's investigation into the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

According to the committee secretary, the Senate committee on women sent a letter to Speaker Martin Romualdez requesting the presence of Ong who is under the custody of the House of Representatives.

In response, the joint committee on dangerous drugs, public order and safety, human rights, and public accounts wrote the Senate panel informing them that their request was approved but Ong is still confined in the hospital.

"Please know that this request has been approved by the Joint Committee. However, please be informed that Ms. Ong is still confined at a hospital in Taguig. Our latest update is that she may be discharged from confinement either tonight or Tuesday," the letter read.

Ong is the named authorized representative of the raided POGO firm in Porac, Pampanga.

She is also the girlfriend of Wesley Guo, Alice's supposed brother.

Ong and Alice's supposed sister Shiela were intercepted by Indonesian authorities and were brought back to the Philippines on August 22. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News