Cassandra Ong out of detention, now 'at large' — Win Gatchalian

Cassandra Ong, the documented representative of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm Lucky South 99, has been released from the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Friday.

Gatchalian, sponsor of the proposed budget of the Department of Justice (DOJ) for next year, made the confirmation during the ongoing plenary debates on the 2026 national budget, when asked by Senator Risa Hontiveros for an update on Ong. 

“Ngayon si Cassandra Li Ong naka-release po siya, so hindi siya [nakakulong],” Gatchalian said, citing information from DOJ Acting Secretary Fredderick Vida.

(Currently, Cassandra Li Ong is released from detention.) 

This brought surprise to Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, which investigated the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) controversy. 

“Mr. President, actually nagulat rin ako. Pareho ho tayong nagulat kasi tinututukan ho natin itong case… I was advised that dahil nung nag-recess po ‘yung [Congress], pinalabas ho natin siya because ‘pag nagmo-move from one Congress to the other Congress, pinapakawalan ho natin ‘yung mga nade-detain dito,” Gatchalian explained.

(Mr. President, I was also surprised. We were both surprised because we were both focusing on this case... I was advised that when the Congress went into recess, we let her out because when we move from one Congress to the other, we release those who are detained.) 

To recall, Ong was cited in contempt by the House Quad Committee probing POGO-linked crimes on September 19, 2024. It was Ong’s second citation for allegedly lying about her school records.

On September 26 last year, Ong was transferred to the CIW in Mandaluyong City, after the QuadCom approved the motion that she be detained there. 

The third regular session of the 19th Congress adjourned sine die in June 2025, while the first regular session of the 20th Congress began a month after. 

“Na-detain ho siya sa House and then because of the transition from the 19th Congress to the 20th Congress, pinalabas siya sa detention. At that point, wala pang kaso. So ngayon ho meron nang kaso, the same, qualified human trafficking,” Gatchalian said.

(Shee was detained in the House and then because we transitioned from the 19th Congress to the 20th Congress, she was released from detention. At that point, there was no case filed. So now there is a case—it’s the same—qualified human trafficking.) 

“Unfortunately, because nung nakalabas siya saka lang na-file ‘yung kaso, at large siya ngayon,” he added.

(Unfortunately, because the case was filed after she was released from detention, she is now at large.) 

In May this year, the Angeles, Pampanga Regional Trial Court Branch 118 issued warrants of arrest against Ong and others for qualified human trafficking in relation with the alleged scam hub run by Lucky South 99.

The Court of Appeals (CA) in July dismissed the petition filed by Ong against the resolution of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that indicted her for qualified human trafficking. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News