Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – The Office of the Ombudsman has indicted former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Arnell Ignacio for usurpation in connection with OWWA’s ₱1.4-billion property acquisition, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Saturday.The resolution, dated June 19, 2026, found that the former administrator signed the contract to sell, deed of absolute sale, and its addendum, and subsequently approved the disbursement of public funds without authority from the OWWA Board of Trustees.“The finding of the Ombudsman is to charge the former administrator with usurpation of official functions under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code,” DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said in a statement.Cacdac said the DMW received the Ombudsman Resolution on July 7, 2026. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/10/dmw-to-appeal-ombudsman-dismissal-of-graft-plunder-raps-over-p1-4-b-owwa-land-deal-1920">DMW to appeal Ombudsman dismissal of graft, plunder raps over P1.4-B OWWA land deal </a> </div>According to the resolution, Ignacio acted under the pretense of authority from the OWWA Board of Trustees, despite knowing he had no such authority, an act that transcends “mere administrative non-compliance and directly constitutes the crime of Usurpation of Official Functions.”The Ombudsman further found that the failure to secure the OWWA Board’s approval was not merely a technical omission. It bypassed the institutional oversight and transparency required under the OWWA Charter and involved performing functions outside the former administrator’s lawful mandate. Cacdac said that usurpation of official functions is a criminal offense that may carry a penalty of six months to four years of imprisonment, subject to the court&#x27;s determination. The Ombudsman directed that an Information be filed against Ignacio before the proper court.ABS-CBN News is reaching out to Ignacio regarding the allegations.Cacdac also presented the second part of the resolution involving the complaints for alleged violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation of public funds, and plunder. The Ombudsman dismissed the corruption complaints against the former OWWA officials and the private sellers involved in the transaction. The DMW, however, will file a Motion for Reconsideration, requesting the Ombudsman to review matters and evidence that the Department believes were not fully addressed in the Resolution.“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,” said Cacdac.“We wish for the honorable Office of the Ombudsman to review these matters,” he added. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/29/dmw-to-file-graft-charges-against-ex-owwa-chief-arnell-ignacio-1107">DMW to file graft charges against ex-OWWA chief Arnell Ignacio</a></div>Cacdac said the DMW will reiterate and further establish two important elements in its motion: the alleged undue advantage given to the seller and the damage or prejudice caused to the government. On the first element--alleged undue advantage to the seller, Cacdac said the property transaction did not undergo the approval and scrutiny of the OWWA Board of Trustees.“One is hindi dumaan sa Board. Undue haste. Minadali. Hindi dinaan sa OWWA Board,” he said.He explained that bypassing the Board allegedly favored the Seller by allowing the transaction to proceed without the institutional oversight, transparency, and scrutiny required when using OWWA funds.Cacdac also presented two checks totaling approximately ₱1.4 billion, both dated August 30, 2024. The deed of absolute sale, however, was signed on September 12, 2024, which clearly amounted to undue advantage to the Seller. “There were checks issued to the seller about 12 or almost two weeks before the signing of the absolute deed of sale,” he said.The Secretary also presented a receipt showing that the Seller acknowledged receiving the payment on September 11, 2024, a day before the deed of sale was signed. “Natanggap na ng seller yung bayad bago pa nagpirmahan ng deed of sale. We wish for the honorable Office of the Ombudsman to take a second look at this item,” said Cacdac.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/02/26/19/arnel-ignacio-resigns-from-owwa">Arnell Ignacio resigns from OWWA</a></div>On the second element—damage and prejudice to the government, Cacdac raised the issue of 51 condominium units valued at approximately ₱97 million that were included in the ₱1.4-billion purchase price. Titles covering the condominium units were issued in the name of the Republic of the Philippines through OWWA. However, when the current OWWA administration conducted an ocular inspection of the property, the condominium structures were no longer found at the site.Photographs presented during the briefing showed a cleared area and a backhoe, indicating that demolition had apparently taken place.“The point here is the government paid for condominium units that no longer exist. That is the damage. That is the prejudicial part to the government,” said Cacdac.The Secretary said the DMW will ask the Ombudsman to examine why the condominium units were included in the amount paid by the government and why the structures were demolished without the reported approval of the OWWA Board of Trustees.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/23/arnell-ignacio-says-p1-4-b-owwa-land-deal-went-through-proper-process-1947">Arnell Ignacio says P1.4-B OWWA land deal went through proper process </a> </div>He also noted that the original stated purpose of the acquisition was to establish a halfway house for OFWs. According to the Secretary, the condominium units could have been used for that purpose. “Bakit giniba? Bakit nawala? Bakit binayaran na biglang nawala?” Cacdac asked.He said the Department is duty-bound to pursue the Motion for Reconsideration because the Commission on Audit may eventually examine the titles and ask OWWA to account for the 51 condominium units. “When the COA comes across the 51 titles of the condominium units, the first thing COA will ask is, ‘Nasaan na ho ba ito ngayon? Pwede ba ho itong puntahan?’” he said.Cacdac stressed that the filing of the motion is not personal against any of the respondents but is part of the Department’s responsibility to protect public funds and ensure accountability.“This is nothing personal to any of the parties. We are duty-bound to file this Motion for Reconsideration,” he said. The Secretary also affirmed the DMW’s respect for the constitutional authority of the Office of the Ombudsman and assured that the Department will abide by its final ruling.

The Office of the Ombudsman has indicted former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Arnell Ignacio for usurpation in connection with OWWA’s ₱1.4-billion property acquisition.

The Office of the Ombudsman has indicted former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Arnell Ignacio for usurpation in connection with OWWA’s ₱1.4-billion property acquisition.

Ex-OWWA chief Arnell Ignacio indicted for 'usurpation' in P1.4-B land deal, DMW says

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Ex-OWWA chief Arnell Ignacio indicted for 'usurpation' in P1.4-B land deal, DMW says

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 11, 2026 09:25 PM PHT

Read More:

Arnell Ignacio

Hans Cacdac

OWWA

Usurpation

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.