Cassie Ong asks DOJ to junk money laundering case: Proof not enough

Katherine Cassandra Ong, incorporator of Whirlwind Corp., attends the hearing of the Senate committee on women on Tuesday, September 24 2024. (File photo from NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Cassandra Li Ong moves to dismiss the money laundering complaint filed against her stemming from her alleged involvement in the operations of scam hub Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga.

READ: Alice Guo, 35 others sued for P7-billion money laundering scheme

According to Ong’s legal counsel, Atty. Raphael Andrada, a counter affidavit has already been submitted for resolution to the Department of Justice (DOJ) where they denied all the charges filed against Ong.

“In this complaint, without undermining the discretion of the honorable panel of prosecutors, we are of the humble opinion that not all of the elements of the crime she’s been charged has been met,” said Andrada.

“… we would most respectfully submit that there is not enough evidence to sustain a money laundering charge or even a human trafficking charge against our client,” he added.

Andrada argued that the money laundering charge against Ong should not push through, since the degree of evidence required is now “much higher.”

The lawyer said that before, “probable cause” is enough to satisfy the filing of a case against an accused.

But now, “Given the higher standard required to sustain the charge in the preliminary investigation, it’s even more so that they should dismiss the case against our client,” Andrada said.

Ong is among the respondents sued for the 87 counts of money laundering filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and the National Bureau of Investigation.

Other respondents included dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo (real name: Guo Hua Ping) and her alleged sister Shiela Guo (real name: Zhang Mier).

READ: Money laundering raps vs Alice Guo, others up for resolution – DOJ