Manila, July 2 -- The Court of Appeals (CA) has dismissed the petition filed by Katherine Cassandra Li Ong questioning her indictment for qualified human trafficking over her alleged part in the illegal activities of a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Central Luzon.

In a seven-page resolution dated June 25, the appellate court's Special 13th Division "dismissed outright" Ong's petition for being premature as she failed to file a motion for reconsideration before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"In not availing of a motion for reconsideration and an available appeal, petitioner (Ong) deprived PG (Prosecutor General Richard) Fadullon and the SOJ (secretary of justice) of the opportunity to review the findings of their re...