President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has made it clear: government officials involved in questionable transactions will be held accountable. This message came in the wake of the removal of Arnell Ignacio as administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) over a controversial P1.4-billion land acquisition.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed on Wednesday that Ignacio, along with OWWA Deputy Administrator Emma Sinclair, was dismissed—not asked to resign—due to “anomalies.”
“This is a sign, a reminder from the President to all those working under him to do their jobs and not get involved in anomalies,” Castro stated during a Palace briefing. “The President will not think twice in removing you from your posts.”
The issue stemmed from a September 2024 land purchase of a 1.5-hectare property near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, intended for a halfway house for overseas Filipino workers. However, the property was later found unsuitable due to its location adjacent to the runway. Further concerns were raised when it was revealed that the deal had bypassed the OWWA board of trustees.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the acquisition lacked board approval and triggered a formal investigation. Whistleblowers from within OWWA alleged that Ignacio and Sinclair conspired to misrepresent tax liabilities, improperly treating the land sale as a capital gains transaction—resulting in an alleged P84-million tax shortfall.
The Palace said these whistleblower claims directly prompted the President to act swiftly and remove Ignacio.
President Marcos, speaking in the first episode of his podcast earlier this week, acknowledged the need to be more assertive in handling public officials. “Sometimes I think I should be fiercer so that those under me will be more efficient … I want to be respected, but maybe fear is better,” he said, also revealing that performance reviews are underway and that those involved in corruption may soon face charges.
Following Ignacio’s removal, DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan has officially taken over as OWWA administrator. She reassured the public that the P2.973-billion OWWA fund remains intact despite the fallout from the failed deal.
