The Malacañang on Wednesday said that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration deputy administrator Emma Sinclair was removed from her post after she was allegedly involved in the anomalous land acquisition deal entered into by previous OWWA administration Arnell Ignacio.
This information was shared by Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro during a media briefing.
Castro stated that Sinclair was removed from her position because of a “loss of trust and confidence” connected to the P1.4 billion land acquisition deal.
”Maliban po diyan, mayroon pa pong isa na makakasama, ang deputy [administrator] na si Emma Sinclair, pareho po silang tinanggal. Hindi po sila pinagresign,” Castro said.
Castro emphasized that this should serve as a warning to all government officials, stating they could be dismissed if they fail to carry out their responsibilities to the public.
Ignacio previously said he would address the issue in the appropriate forum. GMA News Online has contacted Sinclair for her comments, but she has yet to respond as of this posting.
The Department of Migrant Workers also stated it is still collecting information regarding the questionable transaction—reportedly not approved by the OWWA board—before pursuing legal action against those involved.
According to OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PJ” Caunan, the P1.4-billion land deal made under Ignacio’s leadership was intended for the construction of a halfway house or dormitory-type facility for overseas Filipino workers near NAIA Terminal 1.
The DMW is still further contemplating and reviewing whether the project should carry on or not, according to Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.