By Marita Moaje
MANILA – Criminal charges have been filed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) against former high-ranking officials of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) over a questionable PHP1.4-billion land deal.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on Tuesday said charged before the Office of the Ombudsman were former OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio, his two former deputy administrators, and six individuals who are part of the seller group.
The charges for violations of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, RA 7080 (Anti-Plunder Act), and Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (Malversation of Public Funds) were filed on July 29, 2025, two months after Ignacio was sacked from his post due to “loss of trust and confidence” over serious procedural and substantive lapses.
“We filed a case before the office of the Ombudsman against the former administrator and two former deputies administrator of the OWWA in relation to deliberate bypassing of the OWWA Board of Trustees under highly questionable circumstances that amount to violations of various laws, most notably the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” he said in a media briefing.
Cacdac said the deal violates several laws, particularly the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Republic Act 7080 or Plunder Law, and Article 217 or malversation of public funds, under the Revised Penal Code.
He added that cases would also be filed against the private sellers of the property acquired by the OWWA, because PHP1.4 billion was paid to the seller.
“And of course, we will thereby submit ourselves to the proceedings before the office of the Ombudsman,” Cacdac said.
He said that during the investigation, the DMW discovered vouchers and checks signed before the deed of sale, which, he said, would further bolster the case.
The case stemmed from the acquisition of a 1.5-hectare proepety near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) intended for the construction of a half-way house for OFWs.
The property, however, was deemed inappropriate because of its proximity to the airport, specifically to the runway.
Cacdac cited the serious government effort to enforce accountability following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he stressed the need to uphold integrity in public service.
“That was so clear on the SONA yesterday. And on the side of the DMW, this is one case where we are clearly holding public officials, high-ranking public officials accountable for their actions that are in violation of anti-graft and corrupt practices laws,” he said. (PNA)
