MANILA – The House Quad Committee has lifted the contempt orders on Lucky South 99 representative Cassandra Ong, former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, Chinese businessman Tony Yang, and another witness in its investigation.

Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano made the motions towards the end of the mega panel's 13th hearing on Thursday night.

The motions were approved by Quad Comm lead chairperson Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers after they were duly seconded.

Paduano told the committee about the appeal of Ong, who is detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.

"The doctors of the CIW and the House of Representatives confirmed that she is not fit to attend and withstand the congressional hearings. With this mister chairman, I move that we lift the contempt order for miss Cassandra Ong," he said.

Barbers said they received information about the health condition of Ong.

"When she was assessed by a psychiatrist, she had some issues of depression…. Probably it is because her liberty is somehow curtailed," he told reporters after the hearing.

Barbers said they no longer see the need to keep her detained and invite her to hearings.

"Tapos na rin kami sa kanya. Wala na din kaming makukuha pang information. And we believe that what she has said before the committee is sufficient enough for us to write our committee report," he explained.

Barbers said he has signed the order addressed to the CIW to release her and expects this to take place Friday.

Ong was cited in contempt thrice by the mega panel. The first time was on August 28 when she snubbed previous hearings; the second was on September 19 when she "lied" about her education; and the latest was on October 23 after failure to submit documents.

Former mayor Guo alias aka Guo Hua Ping has been detained at the Pasig City Jail.

"Since Alice Guo is now detained by virtue of the court order, I move that we lift the contempt order for miss Guo Hua Ping alias Alice Guo," Paduano said. 

Guo was cited in contempt on September 19 for "lying" and "evasiveness." The mega panel ordered her detention until its report on the investigation on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) is adopted by the plenary.

Guo is facing charges for qualified human trafficking, graft, money laundering, and material misrepresentation, among others.

Yang is under the custody of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.

"We know for a fact there is a pending case filed by the BID for mister Tony Yang. His medical condition now he is sick and currently confined at the St. Luke's Hospital in Taguig with a doctor's certificate," Paduano said.

Yang has been detained at the PAOCC's facility since he was cited in contempt for "lying."

The Chinese national earlier admitted faking his Filipino citizenship. He is the brother of Michael Yang, former President Rodrigo Duterte's economic adviser.

Last week, Yang's legal counsel, Atty. Raymond Fortun said he was diagnosed with a lung condition prior to his arrest in September.

Meantime, the contempt order on PMaj. Leo Laraga, one of the police officers who served a search warrant to the late Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, was also lifted.

Lawmakers said they lifted his contempt order "in the spirit of Christmas" despite his camp filing a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court.

"It's contradictory. He's asking us to lift the contempt order while he's filing at the Supreme Court questioning the mandate, the powers and the authority of the Quad Comm. How can that be reconciled?," Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said.

Adiong clarified he is not against the motion; he simply put his manifestation on record.

Barbers said they will welcome anyone who questions the decision of the committee.

Laraga has been detained at the Quezon City Jail after he was cited in contempt for "lying."