Court of Appeals Denies Cassandra Ong's Petition in Trafficking Case

Picture courtesy of PhilStar

The Court of Appeals (CA) has rejected a petition from Cassandra Ong, an incorporator of Whirlwind Corp., concerning her indictment on qualified human trafficking charges.

In a decision issued on June 25, 2025, the CA dismissed Ong’s bid to overturn the indictment by the National Prosecution Service (NPS). Ong's petition, filed on May 13, 2025, lacked a prior motion for reconsideration or appeal, as stipulated by the Department of Justice (DOJ) procedural rules.

Ong justified bypassing these remedies by citing public statements from Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and due process violations she claimed occurred during the DOJ-NPS proceedings.

The appellate court highlighted that Ong received the DOJ resolution on May 2, 2025, although reports of her indictment emerged as early as April 28. Official statements from Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento and Justice Secretary Remulla confirmed the case's development, with "more than probable cause" found against Ong.

The CA ruled Ong’s certiorari petition was premature, as she had not exhausted the available remedies of reconsideration or appeal, both required under DOJ preliminary investigation rules. The court emphasised that certiorari is applicable only after all administrative remedies have been pursued.

By May 15, 2025, the Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 118 issued arrest warrants for Ong, former human rights lawyer Harry Roque, and 48 others. They are implicated in human trafficking activities associated with Lucky South 99, a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) raided in June 2024.

The accused include various insiders linked to Lucky South 99, including incorporators, directors, and employees, as authorities continue to address this high-profile case.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PhilStar 2025-07-02