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 announced that charges have been brought before the Office of the Ombudsman against former OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio, his two former deputy administrators, and six individuals associated with the seller group.
According to Philippines News Agency, the charges pertain to violations of Republic Act 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, RA 7080 (Anti-Plunder Act), and Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (Malversation of Public Funds). These charges were filed on July 29, 2025, two months after Ignacio was dismissed from his position due to a 'loss of trust and confidence' stemming from serious procedural and substantive lapses.
Cacdac, in a media briefing, stated that the case involves a deliberate bypassing of the OWWA Board of Trustees under highly questionable circumstances that violate multiple laws, most notably the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. He emphasized the filing of cases against the private sellers of the property, as PHP1.4 billion was paid to them.
Cacdac further disclosed that during the investigation, vouchers and checks signed before the deed of sale were discovered, which would strengthen the case. The controversial land deal involved the acquisition of a 1.5-hectare property near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) intended for constructing a halfway house for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). However, the property was found unsuitable due to its proximity to the airport runway.
Cacdac underscored the government's commitment to enforcing accountability, referencing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA), which stressed the importance of maintaining integrity in public service. He asserted, "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."
