Former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnell Ignacio has broken his silence on the controversial P1.4-billion land acquisition deal, clarifying that the project had been in the pipeline since 2018 and complied with all government requirements.
In a statement, Ignacio said the transaction was presented to the OWWA Board and underwent a thorough evaluation by the agency’s technical working group. He emphasized that the land value was assessed by the Land Bank of the Philippines, which confirmed the amount matched what OWWA paid. Furthermore, a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) was issued, affirming that all necessary documentation had been secured.
“This was not a rushed deal. It was reviewed by the board and the technical team. Everything was in place,” Ignacio said.
However, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac announced this week that an investigation is ongoing into the alleged anomalous transaction, which reportedly did not have final board approval. According to Cacdac, Ignacio has been removed from his post and replaced by Patricia Yvonne Caunan.
“We are still in the process of digging deeper,” Cacdac told reporters on Tuesday. “We are examining the documents and talking to OWWA personnel to understand how this happened. There was no formal or informal notice about the transaction given to the current administration.”
Cacdac revealed that it was Ignacio himself who brought the matter to his attention last year. A “white paper” reportedly surfaced in October 2024, raising red flags about the transaction. However, Cacdac noted that the document lacked critical details needed to fully understand the deal’s legality.
“We started reviewing it once the white paper was brought up. Our primary concern is whether or not the transaction had proper board approval,” he added.
Ignacio’s removal and the ongoing inquiry have sparked debate over how such a major financial commitment proceeded without clear consensus. While Ignacio insists everything was done by the book, the DMW says it is determined to uncover the full truth behind the P1.4-billion land acquisition.
The investigation continues, with more developments expected in the coming weeks.