This file photo shows the facade of the Senate of the Philippines. Shiela Guo and Cassandra Li Ong will appear at a public inquiry of the Senate on Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, according to the upper chamber’s spokesperson Arnel Jose Bañas. Edwin Bacasmas/Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — Shiela Guo and Cassandra Li Ong will appear at a public inquiry of the Senate on Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) on August 27.
Senate Spokesperson Arnel Jose Bañas said in a statement Friday that the upper chamber has received assurance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) assurance that Guo and Ong would attend the probe.
Shiela Guo is the sister of Alice Guo while Ong is the business associate of the ousted mayor of Bamban town in Tarlac.
“The Senate is prepared to receive Sheila Guo, the sister of former Bamban Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, and her companion, Cassandra Li Ong, the authorized representative of Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc. and Corporate Secretary of Whirlwind Corporation, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators that are the subjects of investigation in Porac, Pampanga, for the scheduled hearing on Tuesday, August 27, 2024,” said Bañas.
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The hearing on Tuesday next week will specifically delve deep into ex-mayor Guo’s escape from the Philippines despite existing arrest and look out orders. The Senate panels on justice; women; and public services will lead the investigation.
“Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Roberto Ancan said the NBI has assured the Senate that the duo will be made available for the hearings and will be responsible for bringing them to and from the Senate. Guo and Ong will be turned over to the Senate after the inquest proceedings,” Bañas said.
“The Senate is looking forward to their presence in the proceedings. The hearings will provide an opportunity for Guo and Ong to present their statement and contribute to the ongoing discussions and investigation,” he added.
Shiela Guo and Ong were arrested and detained in Indonesia, and then repatriated to the Philippines on August 22.
Both of them are now in the custody of the NBI.
Earlier, Sen. Raffy Tulfo said Shiela Guo and Ong were caught at Mega Mall Batam Centre, a mall in Riau, Indonesia on August 20.
Ex-mayor Alice Guo, however, was not with them at the time of their arrest.