The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed the petition filed by Whirlwind Corporation and Lucky South 99 stakeholder Cassandra Li Ong, who sought to stop Congress from allegedly violating her right to remain silent and her right against self-incrimination.
In its ruling, the High Tribunal affirmed that Congress has the authority to cite individuals in contempt and order their arrest to compel attendance, testimony, or the submission of documents when necessary.
Ong was invited to Senate and House hearings on illegal activities linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) but later refused to attend, invoking her right to remain silent.
The SC clarified that this right can only be invoked when a specific incriminating question is asked. It said Ong broadly invoked the right without referring to any particular question and that, as a resource person, she could not refuse to appear before Congress.
The Court added that Ong may only decline to answer questions that would directly incriminate her. In July, the Court of Appeals also dismissed her petition seeking to quash a qualified human trafficking case filed against her.
