MANILA, Philippines — Heads of the House of Representatives quad-committee have maintained that the transfer of Whirlwind Corporation stakeholder Katherine Cassandra Ong to the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) is legal and adhered to protocols.
In a joint statement on Friday, the quad-committee chairpersons said the decision to transfer Ong is rooted in the rule of law.
The quad-committee is headed by the following lawmakers:
- Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (committee on dangerous drugs
- Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez (committee on public order and safety)
- Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano (committee on public accounts)
“We want to make it clear: Ms. Ong’s transfer to the Correctional Institute for Women is legal. The QuadCom has followed all necessary protocols, and the decision is rooted in the rule of law,” the quad-committee chairs said.
“Walang nilabag na batas ang Quad Comm sa pag-utos na ilipat si Ms. Ong sa correctional. Lahat ng aksyon ng committee ay naaayon sa aming Rules of Procedure at sa batas,” they added.
(The quad-committee did not violate any law when it ordered Ms. Ong’s transfer to the correctional. All committee actions were following our Rules of Procedure and the law.)
According to the chairpersons, Ong’s lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, initially said they wanted the resource person transferred to the CIW.
Topacio previously claimed that Ong’s rights may have been abused with this transfer.
“Her lawyers were the ones who said that Cassy Ong would prefer to be detained in a prison cell rather than in Congress. Cassy should blame her lawyers for putting her in this uncomfortable position,” they added.
The quad-committee heads assured Topacio and Ong that all necessary health and safety measures are being employed to ensure the resource person’s welfare.
“Ms. Ong’s well-being is a priority. The authorities have ensured that her transfer was conducted safely and with respect for her rights,” they stated.
“We cannot allow the narrative to shift away from the truth. All of the proceedings have been open and conducted with transparency. Ms. Ong, like anyone else, deserves her day in court,” said the congressmen.
On Thursday, House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco said Ong has been transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW).
Velasco, however, also clarified that the House still retains jurisdiction over Ong.
“Yesterday pa nalipat na siya sa Correctional. She remains under HRep’s jurisdiction,” Velasco said.
Last September 19, during the sixth quad-committee hearing, lawmakers approved a motion to cite Ong for contempt, as she continued to give evasive replies to certain questions like her educational background.
This was the third contempt order issued against Ong, with the second one being withdrawn after she cooperated with the House.
The first contempt order, meanwhile, was handed down after Ong skipped the quad-committee hearings.
After the said ruling, lawmakers decided that she would be detained at the CIW, after the detention period for the first contempt order lapses.
The first contempt order was supposed to end on Thursday, September 26.
Lawmakers believe Ong is an important resource person for the probe on the Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub in Porac, Pampanga, as it was previously established that she worked for both Whirlwind and Lucky South 99.
Whirlwind, where Ong holds a 58 percent share, leased land in Porac to Lucky South 99. Lucky South 99 meanwhile operated their Pogo in the area.
However, there are claims that both companies operate as one firm.
Aside from these testimonies, Ong admitted last September 4 that Whirlwind’s top boss, a certain Duanren Wu who happens to be her godfather, is a former Chinese police officer.