By Marita Moaje | Philippine News Agency
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said they are preparing to file criminal and administrative charges against officials involved in a questionable P1.4-billion land acquisition deal made by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) without proper authorization.
“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 issued on Monday, May 26.
Cacdac reiterated that former OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio was removed from office due to “loss of trust and confidence” over serious procedural and substantive lapses.
He said the deal in question was executed without the required approval of the OWWA Board of Trustees and involved at least six critical violations of the OWWA Charter.
Among the violations identified were the unauthorized use of P2.6 billion in emergency repatriation funds converted to capital outlay, the signing of a deed of absolute sale, and addendum without board clearance.
Also flagged were the assumption of undisclosed lease contracts, post-sale rental collections by a non-OWWA third party, and the demolition of a building with 52 condominium titles included in the property valuation. The OWWA reportedly failed to obtain full possession of the land despite full payment.
The funds, all for the proposal to construct a “halfway house” to supposedly accommodate a huge number of returned OFWs, similar to the mass repatriation and quarantine efforts during the pandemic, are deemed unnecessary and impractical.
“What is also apparent is the inexplicable manner in which this attorney-in-fact seems to have been entrusted with two significant amounts of money: a) P36 million representing the amount returned by the OWWA, purportedly due to local transfer taxes paid by mistake by the seller; and b) an estimate of P1.4 million representing collected rent by the attorney-in-fact of the seller on the leased property already owned by the Republic of the Philippines,” Cacdac’s statement read.
Full transparency
At the joint DMW-OWWA flag-raising ceremony in Pasay City, Cacdac reaffirmed the agency’s strong commitment to clean governance and transparent service to OFWs and their families.
In his speech, he underscored the importance of integrity and transparency in public service, particularly in safeguarding public funds.
He also thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for championing good governance and introducing reforms under 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 also expressed full confidence in newly appointed OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, whom he described as a leader with “integrity, the heart, and compassion for OFWs”.
In her remarks, Caunan said she is honored by the President’s trust and committed to restoring OWWA’s credibility through meaningful reforms 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 added the OWWA under her leadership stands firm behind the call of Secretary Cacdac for a stronger, more compassionate DMW with a shared commitment to serve with unity, and professionalism. (PNA)
