Criminal proceedings initiated against Guo's sister and Pogo representative

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice has filed charges before the Pasay Regional Trial Court against Cassandra Li Ong and Shiela Guo, the alleged sister of ousted Tarlac Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez confirmed Wednesday.

Shiela, also known as Zhang Mier, was charged with failure to comply with a Senate subpoena in violation of Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and using a fake Philippine passport in violation of Republic Act No. 11983 or the Philippine Passport Law.

Ong, the authorized representative of the raided Philippine offshore gambling operator (Pogo) Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga, was also charged with violation of Article 150 of the RPC, but for disobeying the House summons.

READ: Contempt order against Ong lifted after Solon's questions answered

Second offense

In addition, she was charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly harboring, concealing, or facilitating the escape of a criminal in violation of Section 1(c) of Presidential Decree No. 1829.

On Wednesday, the House Quad Committee charged Ong with contempt of court for a second time for refusing to answer questions from MPs. She was remanded to the Lower House Detention Centre when she was first charged on August 26.

The motion was made by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. as the lawmakers also expressed anger at their lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, whom they accused of pressuring Ong to block the investigation.

1-Rider Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong asked that Ong be given an opportunity to explain since this is the first time an expert witness has been charged with contempt of court twice during the same investigation.

“She has the right to remain silent. If necessary, you can cite her for contempt of court. But threatening someone, putting fear in their eyes, pressuring them to give up their right to remain silent and to incriminate themselves, we will not tolerate that,” Topacio said.

The super committee's chairman, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, approved the contempt of court summons and ordered Ong to be detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City until the panel submits its report.

Earlier this week, Shiela testified before the Senate how she, Alice Guo and her brother Wesley fled the country in the first week of July.

Shiela claimed before the Senate that she was a Chinese national who illegally acquired Philippine citizenship and that she was actually born in China.

According to them, they boarded three different boats, including a fishing boat, before reaching Sabah, Malaysia on July 18 and then flying to Singapore.

“Incredible testimony”

From the city-state, the group took a ferry to Batam in Indonesia, where they were arrested by immigration authorities on August 22.

But Justice Minister Crispin Remulla said he could hardly believe Shiela's account of events.

“We have a problem with the reliability of her statements. She has not been a reliable witness so far,” said Remulla. “I don't believe Shiela Guo. I don't believe what she says.”

During a Senate hearing on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) 2025 budget, Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Felix Ty said Remulla had directed him to work with the National Bureau of Investigation to verify the veracity of Shiela's claims.

Ty also said the Department of Justice is investigating Senator Risa Hontiveros's claim that Alice Guo and her siblings paid P200 million in bribes to leave the country.

The Philippine Coast Guard has also begun investigating the suspected escape route.

But Commander Euphraim Jayson Diciano, chief of the PCG station in Zambales, said that while this was possible, it was unlikely given the distances involved, the supplies needed and the ship's ability to withstand the southwest monsoon (Habagat).

However, he acknowledged that “given the country's porous borders and limited surveillance equipment, with the right means, capabilities and strong intent, it is entirely possible to leave the country. That is the sad reality.”