DMW chief Cacdac says ex-OWWA admin Ignacio removed

Former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration administrator Arnell Ignacio was removed from his post due to loss of trust and confidence, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said on Friday.

Cacdac referred to a P1.4-billion land acquisition deal that the OWWA board didn't authorize.

“Former administrator Ignacio did not resign from office. He was removed and replaced on the count of loss of trust and confidence due to an anomalous P1.4 billion land acquisition deal that did not go through the OWWA Board of Trustees on at least six counts,” Cacdac told GMA News Online.

In a phone interview with reporters, Ignacio said he would address the matter in a proper forum and declined to provide a statement in the meantime.

Cacdac said the law required that the deal be approved and authorized by the board. 

“He did not... inform the Board on at least six counts, on six matters, surrounding the P1.4 land acquisition deal,” Cacdac said. 

The land acquisition deal was supposed to be for the accommodation of overseas Filipino workers, which, for Cacdac, was unnecessary.

“Dapat kinonsulta muna niya ang OWWA Board doon pa lang kasi ako mismo, pagsasabihan ko siya na di kailangan ‘yun because the private sector can secure mga accommodation requirements kung mayroong kailangang i-billet na OFWs,” Cacdac said. 

Cacdac said the agreement was entered into last September 2024. 

“Pero ‘yung proyekto that spurred or brought on the land acquisition deal dates back to September 2023. Pinlano na nila noong September 2023, and then ‘yung land acquisition, deed of sale, absolute sale, September 2024,” he said. 

Asked if Ignacio would face charges over this matter, Cacdac answered in the affirmative, saying President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had already been informed. 

“Yes. I report it to the President and yes there will be corresponding case to be filed in the appropriate office or authority,” Cacdac said. 

Ignacio was replaced by DMW Undersecretary Patricia Caunan. –NB/ VDV, GMA Integrated News