A special trade and tourism envoy denounced the accusations linking Pampanga-based Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) Cassandra Ong to the First Couple.
Ong’s legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, earlier presented at the Pandesal Forum on August 26 a photo showing the First Couple with Ong.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife aren’t connected to the Porac POGO worker, according to Special Envoy of the President to the People’s Republic of China for Trade, Investment, and Tourism Benito Techico.
Techico said the photo was taken after the COVID-19 lockdown during a dinner occasion, when the restaurant owner requested to have a picture with the Marcos couple and several other people present.
“After dinner may pinakilala yung restaurant owner at hindi rin naman namin alam kung sino. Pumasok siya at may mga kasamang Chinese at humingi ng litrato sa ating Presidente (around) 2020. Ang ating Presidente naman ay pinayagan naman po, the typical na nagpapapicture. Ganon lang kasimple. After that lumabas na po (sila),” he shared.
The official stressed that Topacio’s accusation is “100 percent contrary to what really happened.”
“Our group feels that it’s so unfair to the President,” according to Techico.IMT
