Alice Guo says she considers Cassandra Ong a friend
MANILA, Philippines — Dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo considers Whirlwind Corporation stakeholder Katherine Cassandra Ong as her friend, despite the latter saying they were not close.
At the hearing of the House of Representatives quad-committee on Thursday, the lead presiding officer and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers asked Guo if she knew the person beside her — Ronelyn Baterna, corporate secretary of raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub Lucky South 99.
When Guo said that she did not know Baterna, Barbers then shifted to Ong, leading the former mayor to say that she was a friend.
“Mayor Alice, kilala mo ba ‘yong katabi mo (Mayor Alice, do you know the person seated beside you)?” Barbers asked, referring to Baterna.
“Ngayon ko lang po siya (Baterna) nakita (It’s the first time that I saw her),” Guo replied.
Article continues after this advertisement“Eh ‘yong katabi ng katabi mo? Magkaibigan kayo?” Barbers asked again, this time referring to Ong.
Article continues after this advertisement“Opo, si Cassie (Yes, that’s Cassie) […] uh, considered (as a friend),” Guo answered.
Barbers then pointed out that in past committee hearings, Ong said Guo was neither her friend nor business partner.
“Sabi niya kasi no’ng huling hearing, boyfriend niya ‘yong kapatid mo. Tama ba? (Because during the last hearing she said your brother is her boyfriend. Is that correct?)” Barbers asked.
“‘Yon po ‘yong deklarasyon po nila (That’s their declaration),” Guo said.
“So boyfriend nga niya? (So is he her boyfriend?)” Barbers asked again.
“Opo, kasi ‘yon po ‘yong sinasabi po din pala sa akin (Yes, because that’s what they are telling me),” the dismissed mayor noted.
Last August 28, Ong was asked whether Guo was her friend or business partner, given that the two had traveled together with Shiela Guo to Indonesia and Malaysia earlier that month. According to Ong, she only knew Guo because Alice’s brother, Wesley Guo, was her boyfriend.
READ: Cassandra Ong: Alice Guo neither my friend nor business partner
Lawmakers have noted similarities between Ong and Guo’s alleged involvement with Pogos. Guo was brought to the limelight after a Senate investigation on the raided Bamban Pogo hub showed links between her and Baofu Land Development Inc., which leased land to Pogo hub manager Zun Yuan.
Guo used to head Baofu.
According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Baofu, as represented by Guo who was president of the company, purchased eight parcels of land in the town last February 2019.
Guo claims to have divested ownership of Baofu, but DILG believes the amount she divested it for — P2.5 million — was “grossly incongruent to her investment on Baufo, which is approximately eight hectares of land.”
READ: DILG files graft charges vs Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo
Lawmakers also believe Baofu and Zun Yuan are the same, just like with Whirlwind and Lucky South 99.
Whirlwind, where Ong holds a 58 percent stake, also leased land in Porac, Pampanga to Lucky South 99. However, it was revealed that Ong met with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to discuss payments for Lucky South 99.
READ: Pagcor chief: Roque sought meeting as Pogo ‘lawyer’
