Arnell Ignacio, a television personality, has been removed from his position as the head of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration due to irregularities found in a P1.4 billion land purchase transaction.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro verified his removal on Wednesday, May 21, stating, "The former OWWA administrator Arnell Ignacio did not resign; he was dismissed due to the anomalies mentioned."
As per Castro, both Ignacio and Emma Sinclair, the acting deputy director of OWWA—who was likewise dismissed—were let go because of “a loss of confidence” regarding irregularities found in the property deal intended for housing overseas Filipino workers near Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Terminal 1. The Department of Migrant Workers stated that this particular transaction did not have authorization from the OWWA board, directly breaching the guidelines set out in the OWWA Charter.
"There isn’t even a notification or any formal or informal documentation regarding this transaction. This aspect also requires deeper investigation. We are currently at that phase. It may take some time before we can present the required conclusions," stated DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
This sentiment was seconded by Patricia Yvonne Caunan, who has been newly assigned to take over from Ignacio.
Caunan stated that according to the document, for the acquisition of real estate, the authorization must come from the Board of Trustees at OWWA, where the Board’s chairman is the Secretary of DMW and the vice-chair is the OWWA Administrator. The standard procedure, as anticipated, requires these transactions to pass through the Board of Trustees.
Cacdac mentioned that the pact was established back in September 2022.
"There was money transferred from the public treasury. The title was shifted for P1.4 billion, which we only found out after the title’s transfer under the name of the Republic of the Philippines," he stated during an interview with 24 Oras on May 19.
He added that they are now looking for more information about the anomalous deal.
Meanwhile, Castro said that the recent dismissals serve as a warning to government officials to uphold integrity in their posts.
"Ito ay isang tatakarin ng Pangulo sa Lahat ng Mga Nagtrabaho Na Ilalim Niya Upang Gamitin Ninyo Ang Inyong Paggamit Sa Trabahong Iyon, Alisin Ang Anumang Uri Ng Pandaraya O Lokohin Sa Katrabahan Ninyo Dahil Hindi Po Bubuksan Ng Pangulo Ang Pagtanggal Nyo Sa Posisyon," sabi ni Castro.
Ignacio was appointed as OWWA chief in 2022. Per the reports, he will face the media soon to address the allegations.
PhilSTAR L!fe Has contacted Arnell Ignacio for a statement but hasn't gotten a reply as of yet.