Senate panel to hold 2nd inquiry on POGOs

THE Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality will likely hold another public hearing on illegal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

Committee chairman Sen. Risa Hontiveros said this was due to the absence of several resource persons on Tuesday's 14th Senate hearing.

Hontiveros ordered the lifting of the contempt charges against Shiela Guo, sister of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and instructed the Office of the Senate-Sergeant-at-Arms to transfer Shiela's custody to the Bureau of Immigration.

STILL ON HOT SEAT Former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo again faced the Senate panel probing POGOs on Sept. 24, 2024. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

Also present in the hearing were Cassandra Li Ong of Lucky South 99, Sual Mayor Dong Calugay and Tony Yang or Yang Jianxin, the older brother of former presidential economic advisor Michael Yang.

Tony Yang was linked to POGO service provider OROONE Inc., where he is president. Hontiveros said Tony seems to be the architect behind Michael's illegal activities.

During the hearing, Hontiveros showed photos of Michael Yang with alleged drug personality Weixiong Lin, several government officials and former president Duterte.

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Tony Yang denied being close to Duterte.

Meanwhile, the Council of Chiefs, composed of former chiefs of the Philippine National Police (PNP), demanded that retired Armed Forces of the Philippines brigadier general Raul Villanueva, now a senior Philippine Gaming Corp. official, to identify the former PNP chief who allegedly helped Alice Guo escape the country. The ex-PNP chief was also allegedly on the monthly payroll of a POGO.

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, her sister Shiela, business partner Cassandra Ong and Tony Yang, brother of former economic adviser Michael Yang were among those who appeared at the resumption of the hearing by the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality on the illegal activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) on Sept. 24, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, her sister Shiela, business partner Cassandra Ong and Tony Yang, brother