The sister and business associate of dismissed Bamban Town Mayor Alice Goh, who were arrested in Indonesia, arrived in the country on Thursday afternoon. To give us the story, our Chari Abarca joins us live. Chari.
Neo, that's right, dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Goh's sister Sheila Goh and her business associate Cassandra Leong are now back in the Philippines. Their repatriation came after arresting authorities intercepted them in Indonesia. Earlier, Senator Rafi Tufo said Sheila and Cassandra were caught at a mall in Indonesia on August 20. A battle Bamban Mayor Alice Doe, however, was not with them at the time of the apprehension.
According to Tufo, the Philippines Bureau of Immigration wrote to the Indonesian Immigration and requested to keep an eye on the scene. On August 20, when Sheila and Cassandra were caught, the Indonesian authorities immediately informed the Philippine Bureau of Immigration about the matter. It is also important to note that Sheila is among the personalities ordered arrested by the Senate in July.
But unlike earlier reports, Sheila will not immediately be detained and taken into custody by the upper chamber. Senate President Cheese Escudero, citing reports from retired General Roberto Arjan, said pursuant to the guidance of the Department of Justice, Sheila and Cassandra will first be taken into custody by the National Bureau of Investigation. Escudero said the two will be briefed by the NBI.
Only thereafter, Neil, that the NDI will coordinate with the Congress regarding the warrants issued against the team. Unlike Sheila, Cassandra does not have an outstanding Senate arrest order against Ong. But she has an existing House of Representatives arrest order, which means that she will also be taken into custody by the lower chamber after being deported by the NDI. For his part, as Cudero said, he has instructed General Angkan to comply and continue coordinating with the Department of Justice.
the National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration, and the Philippine National Security for an organized peaceful procedure. Happy New Year. Chary, quick question based on that report.
So you're telling me that uh the NBI will go first, my sister and her business associate. So, Chary, when do you expect them to be transferred to the Senate? And what will happen once they are transferred?
to the Senate and for in the case that's in the case of the sister and the House of Representatives for Cassandra O. Yes, sir. We still don't have any news on when exactly Sushila will be detained in the Senate because she is the one who has the existing arrest warrant from the Apple Chamber. So Sushila will be the only one detained here in the detention facility behind me. We asked the Senate President-Chief Escalero regarding this earlier and most likely, it's not tonight that the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms could bring this to Xilago. From the lower chamber side, they expect that within the day, it is possible that Cassandra Ong will be detained in the House of Representatives.
But as of now, there is no definite news about this. As for the detention facility behind me, it was already shown by OSAA or Office of Sergeant-at-Arms. The media and the facility is good. It has its own CR, its own bed. The Senate President, the Senate President Jesus Cudero, ensured that those who will be detained here, which is those who will be brought to the shelter within the week or by the end of the week, here in the detention facility, they ensure the safety of...
Sheila Goh, because she also has a PNP satellite office in the other side of the city. Chary, just a follow-up question. Once Sheila Goh is in the Senate's detention facility, are we expecting her to be invited to the next hearings of the Committee on Women?
Personally, I would like to invite her to the Senate Panel on Women because she is one of the key personalities that I would like to invite to speak about their alleged involvement in the Philippine offshore gaming operators. Okay, we will keep an eye on the developments in that story. Thank you very much, Chary. That's Chary Abarca reporting live from the Senate.