Owwa FB Inacio
MANILA, Philippines — The removing of Arnell Ignacio as administrator of the Abroad Employees Welfare Administration (Owwa) is President Marcos’ means of warning authorities officers to form up or ship out, particularly if they’ve questionable offers, Malacañang mentioned on Wednesday.
At a press briefing, Presidential Communications Workplace Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro burdened that Ignacio and Owwa Deputy Administrator Emma Sinclair have been faraway from workplace and didn’t resign.
“He (Ignacio) was eliminated due to anomalies. They have been each eliminated, they weren’t requested to resign. This can be a signal, a reminder from the President to all these working below him to do their jobs and never get entangled in anomalies,” she mentioned. “The President is not going to suppose twice in eradicating you out of your posts. You’ll all be fired if you don’t fulfill your obligations to the nation.”
READ: Ex-OWWA chief could face raps over P1.4-B land deal
Ignacio’s removing as Owwa chief got here to mild final week after the Division of Migrant Employees (DMW) introduced the appointment and oathtaking of its undersecretary, Patricia Yvonne Caunan, as the brand new Owwa administrator.
Efficiency assessment
Migrant Employees Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac revealed that Ignacio, who was first appointed as Owwa chief in 2022, was eliminated in reference to a P1.4-billion land acquisition deal that didn’t have the authorization of the Owwa board of trustees.
Days after Ignacio’s removing, Marcos posted the primary episode of his BBM Podcast on Monday and admitted that whereas he needed to be regarded with respect, he could need to placed on a fiercer or sterner demeanor in coping with corrupt authorities officers.
“I’ve been informed by many individuals that I’m too good. What can I do, be a foul individual? I can’t change my persona. However generally I believe I needs to be fiercer in order that these below me will likely be extra environment friendly … I wish to be revered, however perhaps concern is healthier,” the President mentioned.
He added that authorities officers will likely be present process a efficiency assessment to examine if they’re hitting their targets or are concerned in corruption.
“We’re doing a efficiency assessment, so axing folks would possibly occur. That’s my warning to them. If they’ve shortcomings or are corrupt, or in the event that they dedicated a grave violation, they might face prices,” Marcos warned.
Ignacio, together with Sinclair, was the topic of a whistleblowers’ criticism addressed to the President himself.
Cacdac earlier mentioned the DMW already started its formal investigation of the land acquisition deal to find out the costs to be filed towards these concerned within the deal and if the deal will push via or not.
Questionable deal
The P 1.4-billion deal concerned the acquisition of a 1.5-hectare property beside Ninoy Aquino Worldwide Airport in September 2024 that was supposedly for a midway home for abroad Filipino employees (OFWs).
Nevertheless, the property was deemed unsuitable for growth as a result of its proximity to the airport runway.
Whistleblowers from inside Owwa claimed that the company’s board of trustees didn’t approve the contract to promote, the deed of sale, and the supplemental settlement in reference to the acquisition.
The Palace mentioned the letter led to Ignacio’s “fast removing” from his put up.
The whistleblowers alleged that Ignacio and Sinclair fast-tracked the transaction and conspired with the vendor and their attorneys to misrepresent tax obligations by passing off the sale of land as a capital good points transaction as a substitute of subjecting it to value-added tax, which allegedly diminished the tax legal responsibility by P84 million.
Final week, Caunan gave assurances that the P 2.973-billion Owwa Fund, which comes from contributions of Filipinos working overseas, seafarers, and their employers, remained intact regardless of the controversial land deal.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please strive once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
The quantity was on prime of the P3.409-billion allocation for the DMW below the 2025 nationwide price range. /cb
