THE LAW OF BOOMERANG

11 February 2025

I have once again received an invitation from the Honorable Dan Fernandez of the House of Representatives of the Philippines. Since this is is a matter of public concern, I am posting my reply to his invitation. Attached is the screenshot, and below is the full text:

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Dear Honorable Dan Fernandez:

It is with great honor that I acknowledge the invitation extended to me by the Committee on Public Order and Safety, Information & Communications Technology, and Public Information. I am particularly moved by your emphasis on leveraging my "knowledge and experience with social media, with the end 𝐢𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 and digital well-being" (emphasis mine). This hearing aligns closely with your committee’s mandate to address matters "directly and principally relating to the suppression of criminality."

In the spirit of promoting accountability, authenticity, and the suppression of criminality, I am attaching a copy of the decision in 26 CAPITAL et al vs. Tiger Resort Asia et al (C.A. No. 2023-0128-JTL). This case, decided on September 7, 2023, by Vice Chancellor James Travis Laster of the Delaware Court of Chancery in the United States, concerns a broken deal involving a de-SPAC transaction related to Okada Casino. One of the key issues in this case was whether Universal Entertainment Corporation, the parent company of Okada Casino, engaged in bribery involving House Speaker Martin Romualdez—a matter infamously referred to as the "heavy luggage issue." After a five-day trial in 2023, involving testimonies from thirteen fact witnesses, four expert witnesses, and 2,281 exhibits (including deposition transcripts from twenty-nine individuals), Vice Chancellor Laster established as a material fact that House Speaker Romualdez received a "dodgy bargain" through the intercession of his associates, Michelle Lazaro and James Lorenzana.

The court’s findings state:

"It nevertheless appears that Lazaro and Lorenzana brokered a dodgy bargain in which they offered to have Romualdez intervene in return for (i) increased control over CasinoCo’s board, (ii) compensation of $35,000 per month (net of taxes), (iii) employment agreements for the local executives like Yip and Van Der Sande, and (iv) an 'item' for Romualdez." 

A copy of Vice Chancellor Laster’s decision is attached for your reference. It is also publicly available on the Delaware Court of Chancery’s website: https://courts.delaware.gov/Opinions/Download.aspx?id=352860..

Prior to this ruling, House Speaker Romualdez denied these allegations. However, the court’s thorough examination of the facts contradicts his denial. This discrepancy raises serious questions about authenticity and accountability—issues that fall squarely within your committee’s mandate to suppress criminality. The moral authority and legitimacy of your committee depend on its willingness to hold even the most powerful individuals accountable. Failure to do so would undermine public trust in your mandate.

You also mentioned in your letter that this invitation is connected to the December 2024 privilege speeches of Honorable Representative Ace Barbers. His speech alleged that bloggers are being paid by drug syndicates and individuals involved in POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators). While Representative Barbers did not name specific individuals, I would like to address this matter directly. If Representative Barbers’ accusations are truthful, and if I am among those he is accusing of being paid by drug syndicates or POGO, I propose the swiftest solution to resolve this issue. As I mentioned in my earlier email, I have been residing in China since August 2023, where I am pursuing a PhD in International Relations in Beijing. Involvement in drug syndicates and online gambling are serious crimes in China, punishable by severe penalties, including the death penalty. If Representative Barbers can substantiate his accusations in a court of law here in China, I would welcome the consequences, even if it means facing the ultimate penalty of being summarily executed. Like the Filipino people, the Chinese people would definitely be happy seeing someone involved in drugs and online gambling erased on earth.

Once again, I thank you for your invitation. I had the privilege of interviewing you once on SMNI, where we discussed the energy industry in the Philippines. I deeply admired your idealism in holding the oligarchs who control our electric companies accountable. I hope that the Honourable Dan Fernandez I interviewed then will continue to stand up to the real culprits behind the exorbitant electric bills burdening the Filipino people.

Respectfully,

Sass Rogando Sasot