Topacio: Government using Cassandra Ong as political distraction

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio on Sunday asserted that the government is using Cassandra Li Ong as a political distraction, even as authorities continue efforts to locate her through an Interpol Red Notice linked to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) investigation.

Topacio said his firm continues to serve as the official legal counsel for Ong, even though they have not been in recent contact with her, adding that they remain committed to providing her with legal assistance under the circumstances. “We confirm that our engagement as the lawyers for…Cassandra Li Ong subsists. While we have not been in communication with our client for some time now, we are bound by law and the tenets of the legal profession to continue extending to her the best legal services we can render under the circumstances.”

Topacio claimed that the government is using his client to shift public attention from allegations involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s supposed drug use and the flood control scam, and dismissed the case against Ong as baseless and hastily constructed by the Department of Justice to target certain individuals.

Earlier, PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said that Ong, a key figure linked to the shuttered Lucky South 99 POGO hub, remains at large, with authorities coordinating internationally to ensure accountability.

She was last tracked in Japan in late January 2025 via social media before a warrant for her arrest was issued in May. Casio noted that tracking became difficult after Ong locked her social media accounts following the issuance of the warrant.

Questions had been raised about Ong’s release from detention in December 2024, but Casio clarified that it followed proper procedure. Her contempt order expired with the adjournment of the 19th Congress, nullifying the commitment order and making further detention illegal.

The assistance of Interpol through the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime (PCTC) has been sought by the government, though Casio said the international arrest notice was issued by Interpol headquarters in France on 17 October and received by the Philippine government for distribution.

The PAOCC spokesperson said authorities continue to monitor Ong and her associate, Rosalin Baterna, who were previously thought to be at odds but reportedly remain in contact. Casio said the government continues to pursue all legal avenues to ensure accountability in these POGO cases.