Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac announced Monday that criminal and administrative charges are being prepared against officials involved in a questionable PHP1.4-billion land acquisition by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
“In due time, appropriate administrative and criminal cases will be filed against responsible OWWA officers who participated in the anomalous transactions,” Cacdac said in an official statement.
He confirmed that former OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio was removed due to “loss of trust and confidence” following serious procedural and substantive lapses. The land deal was executed without approval from the OWWA Board of Trustees, violating at least six provisions of the OWWA Charter.
Among the issues cited were the unauthorized use of PHP2.6 billion in emergency repatriation funds for capital outlay, signing of a deed of sale without board clearance, assumption of undisclosed lease contracts, third-party rent collections, and demolition of a building with 52 condo units. Despite full payment, OWWA reportedly failed to gain full land possession.
The project was meant to build a “halfway house” for returning OFWs, modeled after pandemic-era repatriation facilities, but was deemed unnecessary and impractical.
Cacdac also raised concerns over the seller’s attorney-in-fact receiving PHP36 million—allegedly a refund for transfer taxes—and around PHP1.4 million in rent collected from a now government-owned property.
At the DMW-OWWA flag-raising ceremony in Pasay, Cacdac emphasized the agency’s dedication to clean governance and thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for supporting reforms through the Bagong Pilipinas agenda.
“We are here mainly today because of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na nanindigan para sa pagbabago —para sa governance na maayos, marangal, disente, tapat sa batas, at paglilingkod, at most especially tapat sa ating mga OFWs and OFW families,” he said.
Cacdac expressed confidence in new OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, praising her integrity and compassion for OFWs. Caunan pledged to restore OWWA’s credibility through transparent and professional service.
“We at OWWA are committed to ensuring that our programs are not just efficient, but meaningful, rooted in integrity, and driven by genuine public service,” she said.