Lawmakers fume over Cassandra Ong’s behavior at House hearing

Katherine Cassandra Ong, an incorporator of Whirlwind Corporation, was presented before the House of Representatives’ quad-committee to hear her side regarding issues surrounding the Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub in Porac, Pampanga. (Photo from the House of Representatives media bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — Before Whirlwind Corporation stakeholder Katherine Cassandra Li Ong was brought to a hospital due to health concerns, several lawmakers expressed disappointment over her behavior during the hearing of the House quad-committee on Wednesday.

During the fourth hearing, Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong admonished Ong for her behavior.

Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano and Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez were asking Ong about her supposedly confusing claim that she was not involved in Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) despite working for Lucky South 99, the Pogo hub in Porac, Pampanga that was raided last June 4.

When Ong seemed to reply to Paduano in a casual manner, Adiong said such an attitude must not be tolerated.

“I only paid when I presented as a rep of Lucky South 99,” Ong said.

“‘That’s the problem,” Paduano replied.

“Pero po, okay lang po magsalita po? Pero wala po akong kinalaman,” Ong clarified.

(But can I talk? I do not have anything to do with that.)

“Mr. Chair, I’m sorry, we cannot allow this kind of attitude from Ms. Ong,” a visibly infuriated Adiong said.

Adiong then told Ong: “Allow the members to finish their questions, okay? Masyado kang pa-cute eh (Don’t be cute with us).”

Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers then reminded Ong to let the lawmakers finish with their questions, aside from addressing the chairperson in her reply to the queries.

Even Fernandez, who was teased by his colleagues for defending Ong at times, said that it seemed she was becoming “complacent.”

READ: Acop pokes fun at Cassandra Ong’s alleged preference for dashing solons

“Ms. Cassandra Ong, we have to remind you to be truthful. We’ve been very, very lenient with you, and we hope that you will try to answer all the questions truthfully, otherwise this committee will cite you in contempt. As a matter of fact, the reason why we withdrew you from being cited in contempt was because you agreed that you would sign the waiver. And unfortunately, you did not push through,” Fernandez said.

“We might think that we will be citing you in contempt if you continue to lie. We hope Ms. Cassandra Ong, you will come to your senses and try to help this quad-comm because unfortunately, we have observed that you have become complacent with the treatment that we are giving to you. Don’t, please. Because the reason why we try to be lenient is because you are so young, and we don’t want you to be put in jail,” he added.

READ: Cassandra Ong sought advice, expressed fear before quad comm hearing

Fernandez reminded Ong when he asked her if she gave US$500,000 to Dennis Cunanan to facilitate or liaise for the payment of Lucky South 99’s Pogo license.

“Cassie, there was an issue between you and Mr. Dennis Cunanan with regards to the $500,000 that supposedly Mr. Harry Roque, told us, that you gave to Dennis Cunanan. What’s the truth about this?” Fernandez asked. “Because Dennis Cunanan was denying, under oath, that he received $500,000 from you.”

“What Dennis Cunanan told us was that he was tricked … I think they did not receive the entire $500,000,” Ong said.

“How much did you give?” Fernandez asked.

“I will double-check,” Ong replied.

The lawmaker then pointed out that Ong had been answering questions with phrases starting with “I think” or she would double-check the figures, which may be a convenient excuse for giving wrong answers.

“Cassandra you are becoming accustomed to saying you will check … You cannot remember that huge sum of money, $500,000 or $400,000 that you gave to Dennis Cunanan? Did you hand it over personally?” Fernandez asked

“Yes po,” Ong said, which Cunanan eventually denied. “What I know is that he was scammed.”

When Cunanan claimed that they did not receive any payment from Ong apart from initial fees to establish the Pogo hub, Paduano noticed that Ong was giving different versions of her answers.

Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante also questioned why Ong had been hesitant to give details about her education. When Ong said that she was a dropout, Abante said she might be a genius having been able to run companies and evade questions from lawmakers.

Adiong was supposed to question Ong, but a short bathroom break led to a call for medical assistance. Hours after she was given first-aid, House physician Dr. Jose Luis Bautista said Ong’s situation was unstable, with her blood pressure falling to just 80/40 which may be a sign of hypotension.

READ: Cassandra Ong excused from quad-comm hearing as BP fell to 80/40

According to Bautista, they also took Ong’s blood pressure around 10:00 a.m., and it was at 70/40.

After the deliberations, Barbers said the House’s health bureau does not have to ask for the committee’s approval in emergency situations, urging the bureau to bring Ong to the hospital immediately.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said Ong would be brought to the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.

Ong appeared before the House quad-committee again, testifying earlier that the top boss at Whirlwind Corporation, a certain Duanren Wu who happens to be her godfather, is a former Chinese policeman.

READ: Cassandra Ong: Top boss at Whirlwind an ex-Chinese cop