MANILA — The investigation into the alleged anomalous P1.4-billion land acquisition deal entered into by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) under its former chief, Arnell Ignacio, will proceed accordingly, according to the agency’s new head.

During the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, newly appointed OWWA Administrator Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan stated, “Allow me to say this, and as a lawyer I would also say this, there’s an investigation… I will allow due process to take its course.”

“As the new administrator of OWWA, we will perform the necessary audit, we will seek the required legal opinion from the Department of Justice, and we will engage with the Commission on Audit,” she added.

Caunan mentioned that Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac has already made a statement on the matter and is expected to provide further details in the coming days.

Cacdac earlier confirmed that Ignacio was removed from his post due to “loss of trust and confidence” amid the alleged anomalous land acquisition deal he entered into, which was not authorized by the OWWA Board.

Under OWWA law, the power to purchase real property must first be approved by the board of trustees, which is headed by the DMW secretary. Caunan explained, “The vice chair is the OWWA administrator. So the regular process or what is expected is that purchases should go through the board of trustees.”

She noted that the deal has been suspended.

“The OFW Fund is sacred… we are very serious about this… We take this very seriously,” the new OWWA chief emphasized.

“Marami tayong iniimbestigahan doon and si Sec. Hans has been on top of it as board chairman. Medyo malungkot din na may ganito but to be honest we have to treat this seriously. Pondo ito ng taumbayan so we have to look into it,” she said.

She clarified that the migrant workers’ trust fund remains intact, referring to the OWWA Fund, which comprises contributions from member-OFWs, seafarers, and their employers.

The funds used for the land deal may have been sourced from the agency’s budget, she indicated.

The land purchase deal in question was intended for a halfway house or dormitory-type accommodation for overseas Filipino workers, to be located near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1. The agreement was entered into in September 2024.

Caunan took her oath of office before Cacdac on Friday, May 16, 2025.

Prior to this appointment, she served as DMW undersecretary for policy and international cooperation since August 2022. According to the DMW, she played a key role in forging 15 bilateral labor agreements with countries such as Canada, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Finland, Denmark, Singapore, Croatia, Slovenia, and Kuwait — each one strengthening protection for OFWs around the world.

“A seasoned lawyer with a strong track record in labor, civil, administrative, and criminal law, she has long championed the rights of migrant workers, offering legal guidance and support to those in need,” the DMW further described the new OWWA chief.

Caunan stated, “Kakaupo ko lang po kahapon pero kino-commit ko po sa inyo, ang pag-aaralan natin, paano palawakin ang scholarship, hindi lang para sa anak ng OFWs kundi sa mismong OFWs. Dalawa po iyan: Edukasyon at kalusugan… diyan po tayo magfo-focus pero hindi po natin kakalimutan ang welfare o ‘yung repatriation, mga tulong.”

She said they would further improve OWWA’s systems and services to make it easier and faster for OFWs to avail of the existing programs of the agency.

Ignacio, on the other hand, first entered government service in 2016 when he was appointed by then President Rodrigo Duterte as Assistant Vice President for Community Relation and Services Department of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). He later transferred to the OWWA.

📷 Saturday News Forum