Joselito Malig

DMW to appeal Ombudsman dismissal of graft, plunder raps over P1.4-B OWWA land deal

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers will seek a reconsideration of the Ombudsman’s dismissal of graft, malversation, and plunder complaints over the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s P1.4-billion land acquisition deal, saying key details in the transaction warrant a second look.Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said in a press briefing on Friday that the DMW received on July 7 the Ombudsman resolution dated June 19, 2026, which recommended charging former OWWA administrator Arnell Ignacio with usurpation of official functions under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code.The Ombudsman found that Ignacio allegedly signed and approved the contract to sell, deed of absolute sale, addendum, and disbursement of public funds without authority from the OWWA Board of Trustees.But Cacdac said the DMW will file a motion for reconsideration after the Ombudsman dismissed its complaints for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation of public funds, and plunder.&quot;Our complaint for violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation of public funds, and plunder were dismissed,&quot; Cacdac said.&quot;But what we plan to do is to file a motion for reconsideration because in our view, the resolution did not pass upon details that we submitted to the Honorable Office of the Ombudsman,&quot; he added.Cacdac said the DMW would reiterate that the transaction allegedly gave undue advantage to the seller after the OWWA Board of Trustees was bypassed and payment was made before the deed of sale was signed.According to Cacdac, two checks totaling P1.4 billion were issued on August 30, 2024, while the deed of absolute sale was signed only on September 12, 2024. He said the seller also allegedly acknowledged receiving the payment on September 11, a day before the deed was signed.“There were checks issued to the seller about 12 [days] or almost 2 weeks before the signing of the absolute deed of sale. In-issue-han na siya ng cheque at may resibo pa nga na natanggap niya iyong bayad a day before the signing of the deed of sale,” Cacdac said.The DMW also questioned the inclusion of 51 condominium units in the acquisition price. Cacdac said the government paid around P97 million for the units, but OWWA officials later found that the structures were no longer standing when they inspected the property.“P97 million worth of 51 condominium units na kasama doon sa binili, dun sa P1.4 billion. When the deed of sale was signed and the payment supposedly received by the seller, nagkaroon bigla ng titulo ito in about a month&#x27;s time, iyong 51 condominium units, condominium titles in the name of the Republic of the Philippines through OWWA,” he said.“So the point here is the government paid, for condominium units that no longer exist. That&#x27;s the damage. That&#x27;s the prejudicial part to the government,” he added.He warned that OWWA could later face adverse findings from the Commission on Audit if auditors ask about the 51 condominium titles under the government’s name.The property was supposedly intended for an OFW halfway house, raising questions on why the condominium units were demolished and still included in the purchase price.Cacdac said the DMW would abide by the Ombudsman’s final ruling but maintained that the department must first formally raise the issues.

The Department of Migrant Workers will seek a reconsideration of the Ombudsman’s dismissal of graft, malversation, and plunder complaints over the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s P1.4-billion land acquisition deal, saying key details in the transaction warrant a second look.

The Department of Migrant Workers will seek a reconsideration of the Ombudsman’s dismissal of graft, malversation, and plunder complaints over the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s P1.4-billion land acquisition deal, saying key details in the transaction warrant a second look.