Marilyn Cahatol

OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio at the ‘Alagang OWWA: Seafarers Hub’ located along Mabini Street, Barangay 670, Ermita, Manila, during its launching on July 11, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17477284025901747728393704.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio at the ‘Alagang OWWA: Seafarers Hub’ located along Mabini Street, Barangay 670, Ermita, Manila, during its launching on July 11, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio at the ‘Alagang OWWA: Seafarers Hub’ located along Mabini Street, Barangay 670, Ermita, Manila, during its launching on July 11, 2024. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on Tuesday said others may be involved in the alleged anomalous transaction done under the time of former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnell Ignacio.</p><p>Cacdac confirmed that Ignacio was sacked from his post and was replaced by Patricia Yvonne Caunan and that an investigation is now ongoing. </p><p>This is in connection with an alleged anomalous P1.4 billion land acquisition deal made by OWWA, unapproved by the board.</p><p>“We are still in the process of digging deeper and finding or more details, looking into documents, talking to personnel inside bakit ito nangyari. Wala man lang abiso or anuman whether formal or informal about this transaction,” Cacdac said.</p><p>He added that the case was first presented to him by Ignacio himself last year.</p><p>Cacdac said there was a document on the supposedly anomalous transaction, but it did not show the complete picture.</p><p>“We first got word of it late last year. There was a white paper that came out sometime in October. My attention was called by the administrator himself… Upon looking at the white paper then that’s when we started concluding or looking into the matter of whether the whole transaction went through the board,” he said.</p><p>The investigation is also looking into the possibility that others may be involved in the huge transaction and what cases may be filed against Ignacio, if any.</p><p>“Nobody is exempted or safe from this investigation. We will go as deep as we can and as broad and wide as we can in terms of who are culpable,” said Cacdac.</p><p>Ignacio has yet to issue a statement on the matter. Cacdac said Ignacio defended himself in their initial talks, but he will disclose it at proper time.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/17/dmw-probing-p1-4-b-land-deal-not-authorized-by-owwa-board-official-1134">DMW probing P1.4-B land deal not authorized by OWWA board — official</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xCe1bFbCGU8?si=AekHDwtMFTGEjOjp" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on Tuesday said others may be involved in the alleged anomalous transaction done under the time of former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnell Ignacio.</p>

Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on Tuesday said others may be involved in the alleged anomalous transaction done under the time of former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnell Ignacio.

DMW chief probes Arnell Ignacio, others over P1.4-billion land deal

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DMW chief probes Arnell Ignacio, others over P1.4-billion land deal

Jekki Pascual,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 20, 2025 04:17 PM PHT

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DMW

Department of Migrant Workers

Arnell Ignacio

Philippines

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