Abante blasts candidates being probed by House for Pogo issues

FILE PHOTO: Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo during the House quad committee hearing on Friday, September 27, 2024. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. believes that attempts from individuals being investigated by the House of Representatives’ quad committee is a sign that they are really hard-headed.

In an interview on Tuesday, Abante did not mince words when asked about businesswoman Rose Nono Lin’s decision to seek the congressional seat of Quezon City’s 5th District.

“I would be very frank.  Tigas ng ulo (They’re hard-headed),” Abante said.

READ: Romualdez tells voters to be vigilant, prevent another ‘Alice Guo’

“Hindi kasi, ano na eh, kilala na sila na ‘yong husband is very much involved sa Pogo (Philippine offshore gaming operators). Kahit si Rose Lin eh, part of the corporation na iniimbestigahan namin,” he added.

(No, it’s because they are known for being involved, including his husband in Pogos.  Even Rose Lin eh, she is part of the corporation that we are investigating.)

According to Abante, he does not know Lin’s intentions but he thinks the aspirant would not win against the incumbent lawmaker, Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas who is seeking reelection in the 2025 midterm polls.

“I do not know her intention why she’s running although palagay ko hindi naman siya mananalo kay Congressman Vargas,” Abante noted.

(I do not know her intention why she’s running although I think she would not win against Congressman Vargas,” Abante noted.

Lin was the first one to submit her certificate of candidacy (COC) on Monday, the 7th day of filing.

Lin is the wife of Lin Wei Xiong, the Chinese national who is said to be the financial manager of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., the company that was dragged into the spotlight in 2021 after it was tapped to provide COVID-19 pandemic supplies despite a small paid-up capital of P625,000.

The couple’s names also popped out during the quad committee hearing, for allegedly being involved in Pogos and the illegal drug trade.

READ: Solons seeking reelection, House returnees, new bets file COCs on Day 7 

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, another controversial figure probed by the quad committee, was also rumored to be seeking reelection.  Several senators warned Alice Guo that she would face more legal problems if she falsely insists on being a Filipino and flouts the country’s election law.

But earlier, Guo said that she would not seek reelection as Bamban mayor.

READ: Alice Guo will no longer seek reelection as Bamban mayor 

The quad committee has been investigating illegal activities in Pogo hubs, the illicit drug trade, and extrajudicial killings (EJK) in the past administration’s drug war.

Previously, the panel established that Katherine Cassandra Ong is involved in both Whirlwind Corporation and Lucky South 99.  Ong holds a 58 percent share in Whirlwind, and was previously trying to settle fees of Lucky South 99, the Pogo operator in Porac, Pampanga, that leased land from Whirlwind.

READ: ‘Saan nanggaling yung pera mo?’ Ong quizzed over Whirlwind stake 

Earlier, Abante said that there is a possibility that the quad committee hearings would reach the 20th Congress.  According to the lawmaker, who heads the House committee on human rights, they can terminate discussions on Pogo soon, but talks about EJKs and the fight against illegal drugs would still take some time.

READ: House quad comm hearings could reach 20th Congress – Abante 

The quad committee is expected to hold its eight hearing this Friday, October 11, as the focus once again shifts towards extrajudicial killings.  Abante said relatives of drug war victims from Cebu City and Barangay Batasan Hills in Quezon City will be invited to the hearing.