Cassandra Ong misses Senate probe after being hospitalized

Cassandra Li Ong, representative of Lucky South 99 POGO, confers with her lawyer Attorney Ferdinand Topacio during the House of Representatives quad committee hearing on August 28, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Cassandra Li Ong, one of the key personalities in the ongoing POGO probe, missed the Senate Justice panel's hearing Thursday due to health issues, 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 to the Senate.

• 'Masyado kang pa-cute!' Patience wears thin over Cassandra Ong's 'attitude' at House hearing

The Senate panel is investigating the escape from the Philippines of former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and her companions, which supposedly included Ong.

Ong was placed under the custody of the House of Representatives after her deportation from Indonesia, where she was arrested along with Guo's sister Shiela.

• Cassandra Li Ong excused from House probe due to low blood pressure

Cassandra Li Ong suffers from low blood pressure during a probe at the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Jeffrey Hernaez, ABS-CBN News

On Wednesday night, Ong was excused from the ongoing House Quad Committee hearing due to low blood sugar and blood pressure.

Ong is said to be a representative of Lucky South 99, a formerly licensed POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga that was raided by authorities over alleged illegal activities, including torture.

Ong had admitted being the authorized representative of Lucky South 99, but denied she was involved in its illegal POGO operations.

Ong, Alice Guo, and 34 others are facing money laundering charges before the Department of Justice in relation to their alleged links to illegal POGOs.    

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