Contempt order vs Ong lifted after answering solons’ queries

Katherine Cassandra Li Ong

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives’ quad-committee has lifted the second contempt order issued against Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, as she was deemed by lawmakers as ‘cooperative’ having eventually answered questions posed against her.

At the tail end of the third quad-committee hearing, Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong moved for the rescinding of a contempt order against Ong, where she was deemed detained at the Correctional Institute for Women until the panel comes up with a committee report.

READ: House quad-panel cites Cassandra Ong for contempt anew

The lifting of the contempt order came after Ong signed a bank secrecy waiver for her supposed three bank accounts.

This rescindment only applies to the second motion however, as the first contempt order against Ong stays, and she will remain under House custody.

Ong initially was cited for contempt after she refrained to directly answer the lawmakers’ questions—saying that she is invoking her right against self-incrimination. Ong then changed her answers, replying with a more direct “I refuse to testify”—prompting Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. to make the motion.

But Ong eventually changed her stance, answering several questions thrown by 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez—like about her whereabouts, and eventually as to whether she was familiar with certain personalities involved in Pogos and if she used to work for both Whirlwind and Pogo hub operator Lucky South 99.

Ong also admitted to Gutierrez that she was part of both Whirlwind and Lucky South 99—confirming the hunch of several lawmakers that she worked for both land lessee and Pogo operator.