QuadComm cites Ong in contempt for 2nd time, okays Correctional detention

The House of Representatives QuadCom has cited Cassandra Ong in contempt for the second time. 

The committee also approved the motion that she be detained at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.

After Ong balked at answering Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano's question on where she finished her alternative learning system schooling, the lawmaker moved that she be cited in contempt.

With no objection, the committee presided by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers approved the motion to cite her in contempt for the second time.

Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop then moved that if there was no more room at the House of Representatives Ong be detained at the CIW.

The motion was also met with no objection and was carried.

Ong will be transferred to the CIW after September 26.

Meanwhile, the QuadComm at the end of Thursday's hearing also issued a show cause order to Mylah Roque, wife of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

Harry was earlier cited in contempt and ordered detained by four House panels last September 13 after he refused to submit documents that would supposedly justify his increased wealth.

Lawmakers insisted that it was impossible for Ong to forget what school she attended, despite her insistence that she could no longer remember.

“She is now cited in contempt, the second time,” declared Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers.

Ong was first cited in contempt by the House Quad Committee on August 28 after she repeatedly responded “I refuse to testify” or “I invoke my right to remain silent” on questions fielded by lawmakers.

They also adopted two motions to detain Ong at the Women's Correctional Facility in Mandaluyong City until the House terminates the ongoing probe on the POGO-related crimes.

On August 29, her detention at the facility and the contempt order were retracted after she suddenly became “cooperative." She remained under the House custody.

The QuadCom—the House committees on dangerous drugs, public order and safety, human rights, and public accounts—has been conducting a probe into extrajudicial killings, illegal drugs, and alleged criminal activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Former Bamban mayor Alice Guo was also cited in contempt by the same committee on Thursday for allegedly refusing to answer the lawmakers’ questions.

Her custody remains pending for discussion between the Congress and the Philippine National Police.

Earlier in the hearing, Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin called Ong the “complete picture of a pathological liar” following her statements regarding her medical condition.

Garin, who is also a medical doctor, noted that Ong said she was “okay” because she had maintenance medicine for low blood sugar and anxiety.

She also pointed out that when Ong’s blood sugar dropped, causing her to miss a Senate investigation on September 4 regarding the escape of Guo, she was given iced tea to increase her sugar level back to normal.

“It is very clear that the hypoglycemia or pagbaba ng sugar was self-inflicted. Very troubling sa akin, as a mother and as a doctor, napaka-[auto]matic ng pagsisinungaling ni Ms. Cassie Ong. When she was asked [about] low sugar, agad-agad nakasmile pa with all the eyes… Walang problema, may maintenance,” said Garin.

(It is very clear that the hypoglycemia or drop in blood was self-inflicted. It is very troubling for me, as a mother and as a doctor, it seems that her lying is automatic. When she was asked [about] low sugar, she immediately smiled with all the eyes… There is no problem, there is maintenance)

“In other words, Mr. Chair, I hope I’m wrong, but her actuations and her actions reflect a complete picture of a pathological liar,” she added.

Ong reportedly suffered mental breakdowns, as well as a drop in blood pressure and blood sugar, following her appearance in several legislative inquiries on former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and POGO operations.

On September 7, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio stated that Ong said she would rather be jailed than proceed with the investigations and hearings.

"Apela siya, this comes from her, ang  apela po ay hindi na kaya ni Ms. Cassandra Li Ong. 'Kung gusto niyong  ikulong, ikulong niyo na po.' Sabi niya, 'Kahit sa Women's Correctional  [Facility] tatanggapin ko na, huwag lang akong pahiyain niyo sa harap ng milyon milyong mga tao,'" Topacio said at a forum on Saturday.

(Her appeal was that Ms. Cassandra Li Ong could not bear it anymore. If you want to lock me up, lock me up, she said. I will accept being detained at the Women's Correctional Facility, just don't want to be embarrassed in front of millions of people.)

Her other counsel, Raph Andrada, also stated that her health issues may have been a physical manifestation of her mental breakdowns and that the legislative inquiries were “accusatory in nature” and a “traumatic” experience. —With reports from Bea Pinlac/NB, GMA Integrated News