Ong asks SC to determine if grave abuse committed during Pogo probe

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 hub in Porac, Pampanga. Whirlwind only leased land to Pogo hub operator Lucky South 99, but several lawmakers believe that Ong is possibly involved in both companies. (Photo from the House of Representatives media bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Cassandra Li Ong has asked the Supreme Court to determine if lawmakers committed grave abuse of discretion during their probe into her alleged involvement in the illegal activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos).

Her lawyers Ferdinand Topacio and Raphael Andrada on Wednesday filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition against the House Quad-Committee and the Senate Tri-Committee.

READ: Cassandra Ong, 51 others charged with qualified human trafficking

The petition for certiorari and prohibition was sought to “to determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the government.”

“Petitioner Katherine Cassandra Li Ong (“Cassandra”) is at serious risk of having her basic constitutional rights of, inter alia, remaining silent, that against self-incrimination, the right to counsel and the right to be treated with respect as a resource person in a legislative hearing in aid of legislation, brazenly violated by the Respondents,” the petition read.

Listed as respondents were Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, and Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante Jr.

Ong is currently under investigation by the House quad-committee because of her connections to the raided Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga.

She holds a 58 percent stake at Whirlwind Corporation, the company that leased land to the Pogo hub.

READ: Senate tasks 3 committees to look into Alice Guo’s ‘escape’ from PH

At the quad-committee hearing last August 28, Ong admitted to 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez that she was part of Whirlwind and Lucky South 99, confirming the hunch of several lawmakers that she worked for both land lessee and Pogo operator.

The Senate tri-committee, on the other hand, is composed of the chamber’s panels on justice, women, and public services tasked to delve deeper into the alleged “escape” of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.