From left to right: Santa Rosa lone district Rep. Dan Fernandez, Cassandra Ong, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez (Facebook)

Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop--a retired police brigadier general who always means business--is the last person you'd expect to crack a joke during a House of Representatives inquiry. 

But that's exactly what Acop did late Wednesday night, Aug 28 when he teased Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc. representative Cassandra Ong for seemingly entertaining questions from "handsome" congressmen only.

Acop identified these dashing solons as Santa Rosa City lone district Rep. Dan Fernandez and 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez. 

"Imbestigador ako hija, sana matandaan mo yun (I'm an investigator hija, I hope you remember that)," the Antipolo lawmaker told Ong in his usual deadpan delivery. 

"Kasi pagpasok ko dito noong ikaw, ay kung magtinginan kayo ni honorable Fernandez ay may ibig sabihin eh. Lingon ka nang lingon sa kanya, akala ko nga siya ang abugado mo," he said. 

(When I came here, I saw that you and the honorable Fernandez were exchanging looks as if there was meaning behind it. You keep turning to him and I thought he was your lawyer.) 

Fernandez was seated in front alongside his fellow officials of the House quad-committee (quad-comm) which carried out the hearing on the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) controversy. 

Continuing his manifestation, Acop said: "Kanina noong si honorable [Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville] Luistro ang nagtatanong sa inyo, eh para bang ayaw niyong sumagot...bakit noong si honorable Gutierrez at honorable Fernandez ang nagtanong, relax na relax kang sumagot." 

(When the honorable Luistro was asking you questions, it seemed that you didn't want to answer.. when it was the turn of honorable Gutierrez and honorable Fernandez, you answered in a very relax manner.) 

"Kaya tuloy hindi na ako nagtanong. Pero napansin ko noong mga guwapong lalaki ang nagtatanong ay sumagot po kayo at relax na relax na.

(That's why I didn't bother to ask questions. But I noticed that when it was the handsome men asking the questions, you answered them and you were very relaxed.) 

"May I know the reason why?" a serious-looking Acop asked as his fellow solons were heard laughing in the background. 

Fernandez is a former movie and television actor, while Gutierrez has a television program along with the rest of his fellow "Young Guns" bloc members. 

Ong replied, "Noong una, I really want to refuse to answer po. And then kinausap po ako ng abugado ko na magsalita ng committee na to. That's why nagsalita po ako." 

(At first, I really want to refuse to answer. And then my lawyer advised me to speak to this committee. That's why I spoke up.) 

"Tumiming lang po kay madam chair (It just coincided with madam chair)," Ong said, referring to Luistro who is a congresswoman. Satisfied with the response, Acop concluded his questioning.

Wednesday's quad-comm hearing lasted over 13 hours. Ong underwent interpellation or questioning for around five hours.