Malacañang: Probe ongoing into alleged P1-billion OWWA land deal

May 19, 2025 , 08:35 PM

(May 19, 2025) – The Malacañang on Monday said the investigation is ongoing into the alleged P1.4-billion questionable land deal involving the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

This was after former OWWA director Arnell Ignacio was removed from his post amid allegations that he entered into the land acquisition deal without the approval of the OWWA Board.

“Sa ngayon po ay under investigation pa po ang lahat at kung mayroon pa pong ibang mga opisyal na involved dito magkakaroon po ng action, kung sinuman iyong tatanggalin, sususpendehin; at maagarang imbestigasyon ang kinakailangan dito,” said Presidential Communications Office undersecretary Claire Castro.

Patricia Yvonne Caunan, who replaced Ignacio on Saturday, pledged to prioritize programs that address the health and education of overseas Filipino workers. She also confirmed that the Department of Migrant Workers is investigating the alleged land deal.

Ignacio has yet to issue a statement on the matter, as of writing.

“Sa inisyal na imbestigasyon ay hindi po affected ang OWWA trust fund, pero iniimbestigahan pa rin po kung may nagamit; pero initial po na imbestigasyon ay wala daw po, as of this moment,” added Castro.

She also said said that initial findings show the OWWA trust fund remains untouched, despite concerns linked to the alleged deal.

According to Republic Act No. 10801, or the OWWA Act, the OWWA Fund is classified as a private trust fund solely for the benefit of its member-OFWs and their families.

The law strictly limits its use to the agency’s core programs and services, and explicitly prohibits it from being used to fund expenditures of other government entities.

(With reports from Maricel Halili, News5)

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