The department of migrant workers (dmw) has asked the office of the ombudsman to reinstate the graft and malversation complaints against former overseas workers welfare administration (owwa) chief arnell ignacio:he Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has asked the Office of the Ombudsman to reinstate the graft and malversation complaints against former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Arnell Ignacio, arising from the anomalous purchase of a PHP1.4 billion property in 2025. The DMW on Tuesday provided a copy of the motion of reconsideration to the media, submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman on July 17.
According to Philippines News Agency, the agency, through the motion of reconsideration filed by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, acting as the complainant, has urged the Ombudsman to revisit its June 19, 2026 resolution, which dismissed the complaints for alleged violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation, while indicting Ignacio only for usurpation of official functions. The motion argues that the Ombudsman misappreciated the evidence when it concluded that two elements required under Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act-manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence, and undue injury to the government-had not been established.
The DMW maintains that the totality of the evidence is sufficient to establish probable cause. In a press briefing on Monday, Cacdac cited the release of two checks totaling PHP1.4 billion to the seller before the deed of sale was signed. "We pointed out that the seller was paid-the checks for the seller amounting to PHP1.4 billion, two checks, were issued 12 days prior to the sale," he said. "Wala pang deed of sale. Nag-issue na ng cheque, worth PHP1.4 billion. Di biro itong halaga ng pera na ito (There is no deed of sale yet. A cheque worth PHP1.4 billion has already been issued. This amount of money is no joke)," he added.
Moreover, the motion also argues that the transaction bypassed the OWWA Board of Trustees, which, he said, has the authority to approve acquisitions of real property. Cacdac also questioned the purchase price, noting that the Land Bank's valuation of the property, including the land and 51 condominium units, was about PHP1.2 billion, while OWWA acquired it for PHP1.4 billion. "So we want the Ombudsman to review this," he said.
The motion further cites the status of the 51 condominium units included in the sale. "But now, hindi lang now, last year, nung pumasok si (not only now, but last year, when) Admin PY Caunan replaced the former administrator, they went to the property, the 51 condominium units were nowhere to be found. The building had been completely demolished," Cacdac said. "So the OWWA is holding titles to 51 condominium units that no longer exist," he stressed.
