Dennis Gasgonia

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Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - The Department of Migrant Workers urged the Office of the Ombudsman to reconsider its earlier dismissal of the plunder, graft, and malversation complaints against former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnell Ignacio over a P1.4-billion property deal that allegedly bypassed the agency&#x27;s board.Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac personally appeared before the graft-busting body to file the motion for reconsideration on Friday afternoon. The complaint alleged that OWWA&#x27;s board did not authorize the documents used in the 2024 purchase of a property near Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, including the contract to sell, deed of sale and supplemental agreement.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/11/ex-owwa-chief-arnell-ignacio-indicted-in-p1-4-b-land-deal-dmw-says-2125">Ex-OWWA chief Arnell Ignacio indicted for &#x27;usurpation&#x27; in P1.4-B land deal, DMW says </a> </div>Cacdac said the motion includes evidence that two Landbank checks worth P1.4 billion were already issued to the Seller on August 30, 2024, or 12 days prior to the Deed of Absolute Sale dated September 12, 2024. “Kaya nagpahiwatig muli tayo muli ng ebidensya na ang bentahan was done 12 days before the date of sale… So may undue advantage. Napaka-special naman ng seller para bayaran na siya o issuehan ng ng check in 12 days before the deed of sale,” Cacdac said in an ambush interview.  Cacdac also urged the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the alleged nonexistence of 51 condominium units that were included in the property&#x27;s purchase price. He also asked the agency to examine the discrepancy between Landbank&#x27;s documented P1.2 billion valuation of the property and its P1.4 billion purchase price.“Ipapakita natin na may P1.2 billion valuation ang Land Bank…  dahil idinagdag itong P51 condominium unit at sa iba pang mga elemento ay (naging) P1.4B. So isa rin yan ang sinasangguni natin,” Cacdac said. <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>Although the Ombudsman dismissed the plunder, graft, and malversation complaints, it indicted Ignacio for usurpation of official functions.In a July 7 resolution earlier cited by Cacdac, the Ombudsman said Ignacio acted as though he had authority from the OWWA Board of Trustees despite lacking  authorization. It added that his actions went beyond &quot;mere administrative non-compliance&quot; and &quot;constitute the crime of usurpation of official functions.&quot; The Ombudsman previously said it welcomes the DMW’s filing of the motion for reconsideration.

The Department of Migrant Workers urged the Office of the Ombudsman to reconsider its earlier dismissal of the plunder, graft, and malversation complaints against former OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio over a P1.4-billion property deal.

The Department of Migrant Workers urged the Office of the Ombudsman to reconsider its earlier dismissal of the plunder, graft, and malversation complaints against former OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio over a P1.4-billion property deal.

DMW urges Ombudsman to reconsider dismissal of plunder, graft, malversation complaints vs Ignacio

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DMW urges Ombudsman to reconsider dismissal of plunder, graft, malversation complaints vs Ignacio

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 17, 2026 06:22 PM PHT

|

Updated July 18, 2026 06:14 AM PHT

Read More:

Ombudsman

Arnell Ignacio

OWWA

motion for reconsideration

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