Cassandra Ong: Alice Guo neither my friend nor business partner

Katherine Cassandra Ong, an incorporator of Whirlwind Corporation, appears before the House of Representatives’ quad-committee to narrate her side regarding issues surrounding the Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) 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 — Whirlwind Corporation stakeholder Cassandra Ong has clarified that dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo is neither her friend nor business partner, saying that she only knew the controversial figure through Guo’s brother.

Ong admitted before the House of Representatives’ quad-committee that Guo’s brother Wesley Guo is her boyfriend, while denying having any ties with Guo outside of that.

This was despite Ong reportedly being with Alice Guo and the latter’s alleged sister, Shiela Guo, in Malaysia and Indonesia before the former was deported back to the Philippines.

“Sino ang kasama niyo sa Singapore? (Who were you with in Singapore)” Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. asked Ong.

“Si Wesley Guo, Alice Guo, and Shiela Guo,” Ong replied.

“Paano niyo po nakilala ang mga Guo? (How did you know the Guos)” Abante asked again.

“Boyfriend ko po si Wesley Guo (Wesley Guo is my boyfriend),” Ong explained.

Abante then asked if Ong considers Alice Guo a close friend — to which Ong said that she only knew Alice because of Wesley.

“Ah boyfriend niyo si Wesley Guo, therefore, malapit ka kay Alice Guo?” Abante quizzed Ong anew.  “Ah hindi ka malapit, pero kilala mo siya?”

(Ah Wesley Guo is your boyfriend, therefore, you are close to Alice Guo.  You’re not close, but do you know her?)

“Hindi po […] Kakilala syempre, sister po siya ng boyfriend (ko) (No, but I know her since she’s my boyfriend’s sister),” Ong said.

“At business partner mo si Alice Guo? (And Alice Guo is your business partner?)” Abante asked.

“No,” Ong added.

Ong also denied owning a Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub, saying that both Whirlwind Corporation and Lucky South 99 are not involved in the games.

“Pero pareho kayong may Pogo hub ‘di ba?  Wala kang Pogo? (But you both have Pogos right?  You don’t have a Pogo?)” Abante asked.

“Hindi po, ‘yong business po namin is nagrerent lang para, building, real estate lang po, I’m not related to any Pogo,” Ong countered.

(No, our business centers on rentals, we are into buildings, real estate lang only. I’m not related to any Pogo.)

Ong reportedly holds a 58 percent stake at Whirlwind Corporation, which leased land in Porac, Pampanga to Lucky South 99 — which operated a Pogo hub.  However, Wednesday’s hearing revealed that there are several ties between the two companies, with no less than Ong admitting before 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez that she works for both Whirlwind and Lucky South 99.

READ: After VP Duterte, Rep. Gutierrez also gets Cassandra Ong to speak

Earlier, the quad-committee cited Ong for contempt again after she refused to answer questions of lawmakers — saying that she is invoking her right against self-incrimination.  Eventually, Ong changed her answers, replying with a more direct “I refuse to testify” — prompting Abante Jr. to make the motion.

Ong was detained at the House last Friday Monday, after she and Shiela Guo were arrested in Indonesia and deported back to the Philippines.

READ: Cassandra Ong now detained at House premises – Barbers 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) believes the arrest of the Ong and Shiela Guo in Indonesia only proves links between the Pogos in Bamban and Porac.