Ex-OWWA chief Ignacio faces plunder, malversation raps over P1.4-billion land deal

National

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has filed plunder and malversation charges against former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Arnell Ignacio in connection with an alleged anomalous P1.4-billion land acquisition deal near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, in a press briefing on Tuesday, July 29, confirmed that the charges were filed before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Two former OWWA deputy administrators and six individuals identified as property sellers were also included in the complaint.

The controversial property deal was originally intended for the construction of a “Halfway House” to accommodate returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), similar to the large-scale repatriation and quarantine operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The property included 52 condominium units, which were part of the valuation conducted by the Land Bank of the Philippines, contributing to the P1.4-billion price tag.

Cacdac said the procurement process bypassed the OWWA Board of Trustees—an act he described as a “deliberate” circumvention of procedures and a violation of multiple laws, including Republic Act No. 7080 or the Anti-Plunder Act, and Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code on malversation of public funds.

“There were clear procedural lapses. Agreements and contracts related to the acquisition were not disclosed to the OWWA Board, which I chair,” said Cacdac in a report by Manila Bulletin.

Among the key findings, he revealed, was the signing of vouchers and checks even before the Deed of Sale was finalized—a major red flag that further strengthened the case against the respondents.

“The P1.4 billion was already paid to the seller. That’s precisely why we included the seller in the charges,” Cacdac added.

The controversy ultimately led to Ignacio’s removal from office. He has since been replaced by Patricia Yvonne Caunan.

Cacdac emphasized that the move aligns with the Marcos administration’s push for accountability in government.

“This is a clear example of how the DMW is committed to holding high-ranking public officials accountable for violations of anti-graft and corruption laws,” he said.(Edmie Rocsan, UV Comm Intern)