QuadComm member doubts Maslog being tapped to link Duterte, allies to POGO crimes

A lawmaker on Thursday expressed doubt that Mary Ann Maslog, an arrested scam suspect, would be helpful in the government's ongoing probe on crimes related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

"I'm not sure if Ms. Maslog would even have the personality to talk about POGO," 1-Rider party-list Representative Rodge Gutierrez said in a press conference.

Gutierrez is a member of the House Quad Committee (QuadComm) that is currently conducting the investigation on POGO-related crimes and Guo.

During a Senate hearing earlier this week, Maslog, who now identifies herself as Jessica Francisco, said she was tapped by the Philippine National Police Intelligence Group (PNP-IG) to talk with Guo for her surrender. This was denied by the PNP. 

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, citing information that reached him, said Malacañang has tapped Maslog in an effort to link him, former President Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Bong Go and Police Major General Romeo Caramat Jr. to POGO-related crimes and Guo.

But according to Gutierrez, he is "hard-pressed" to believe that Maslog has any knowledge about POGOs.

"I would be hard-pressed to believe that there would be any linkage [to POGOs]. And if there's no linkage at all, why would she be tapped?" Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez cited Maslog's past when she was implicated in a textbook scam in 1998. Her case was dismissed by the Sandiganbayan after the court was told of her supposed death in 2019.

The NBI arrested Maslog last September 25 as was able to confirm her identity through fingerprints.

Duterte

Also during the press conference, Gutierrez said the QuadComm welcomes former President Duterte's reported willingness to attend the committee's hearings, assuring the former leader that "educated questions" will be asked.

"We welcome that sentiment. It is good to know that he is willing to attend the investigation, although he is yet to be invited," he said. 

"But when it comes to questioning of the committee [members], the Committee has been asking educated questions," Gutierrez added, responding to Duterte's statement that the committee should ask educated questions.

Aside from POGO-related crimes, QuadComm is also investigating deaths related to the Duterte administration's war on drugs.
 
Gutierrez said it is too early to doubt Duterte's sincerity in wanting to attend the hearings and answering subsequent questions.

"I would like to give the benefit of the doubt. Until he says, until he retracts it, until he says it's a joke, I will treat it seriously," Gutierrez said.

The QuadComm will resume its probe on Friday, October 11. —KBK, GMA Integrated News