MANILA — Cassandra Li Ong, a key figure in the ongoing Senate investigation into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), was unable to attend the Senate Justice panel hearing on Thursday due to health concerns, according to the House of Representatives.
“Ms. Ong is currently unwell and cannot attend the aforesaid public hearing… According to our own doctor, Ms. Ong may need to be confined in the hospital and may require 2 to 3 days to stabilize her health conditions,” the House said in a letter addressed to the Senate.
The Senate inquiry is focused on the escape from the Philippines of former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and her associates, which reportedly included Ong.
Ong is currently under the custody of the House of Representatives following her deportation from Indonesia, where she was arrested along with Guo’s sister, Shiela.
On Wednesday night, Ong was excused from the ongoing House Quad Committee hearing due to low blood sugar and blood pressure issues.
Ong has been linked to Lucky South 99, a formerly licensed POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga, which was raided for alleged involvement in illegal activities, including torture.
Although she admitted to being the authorized representative of Lucky South 99, Ong denied any involvement in the illegal operations of the POGO.
Ong, Alice Guo, and 34 others are facing money laundering charges before the Department of Justice, in connection with their alleged involvement in illegal POGOs.