Agency fractures over land

A P1.4-billion land deal brokered by OWWA has exploded into a full-blown rift, pitting former Administrator Arnell Ignacio against Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac.

At stake: a 6,499-square-meter property near NAIA Terminal 1, billed by Ignacio as a “legacy” for OFWs.

Now under review, the deal faces allegations of board bypassing, red flags, and a brewing power struggle within the very agency meant to protect migrant workers.

“This started back in 2018, I was still the DA [Deputy Administrator] and our current secretary [DMW Secretary Cacdac] was the administrator then: so this was already pushed forward, already proposed,” Ignacio said, noting that the land purchase followed guidance from the Department of Budget and Management and reviewed by a technical working group. 

“We brought this to the Board, we brought it to the Board as a report from OWWA and it was scrutinized by several technical working groups formed by our Chairman… Chairman Secretary Hans Cacdac, who is my friend,” he added.

The former OWWA chief also emphasized the transaction as fully compliant with the Republic Act No. 10752 or “The Right-of-Way Act,” and that the price paid matched the land appraisal made by Land Bank, the government’s financial institution. 

He further stressed that the deal started in the Senate and had the necessary permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, debunking claims that the property’s proximity to the runway made it unusable. 

“It’s on the record, we were even next to each other, our new admin PY Caunan was there, former [DMW] Undersecretary Anthonette Allones, and OIC Usec Hans Cacdac was there.” 

He also dismissed the claims that he was able to profit from the deal, as what was cited in a letter complaint that circulated social media later on verified by the Malacañang. 

“But let me tell you, to the OFWs I have been serving: I did not betray you, I only did this because of your love and I did not earn anything from this. There’s nothing like that here.”

However, over the past week, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac showed a different picture, citing unresolved issues and failure to consult with the OWWA Board of Trustees. 

In a previous statement, Cacdac said that there were at least six aspects of the land transaction that were not consulted with the OWWA Board. He further noted that the initial information he received in 2024 centered on local transfer taxes. 

The DMW Secretary even disclosed that it was Ignacio himself who handed over the complaint letter filed by "concerned OWWA employees," reportedly telling him he might as well see it firsthand, since he would learn about it sooner or later.

Ignacio was replaced by then-DMW Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation Patricia Yvonne Caunan, but he expressed dismay over his sudden replacement. 

“I wish I was at least given the chance to talk, I was just surprised one day when I was called and told that I was going to be replaced.”

Cacdac has yet to respond to Daily Tribune's query on whether he will respond to Ignacio’s claims as of this writing.