The Office of the Ombudsman has found sufficient basis to charge former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Arnaldo “Arnel” Ignacio over the agency’s controversial ₱1.4-billion property acquisition.
Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the department received the Ombudsman’s June 19 resolution on July 7.
The Ombudsman found that Ignacio allegedly signed the contract to sell, the deed of absolute sale, and an addendum, and approved the release of government funds without authorization from the OWWA Board of Trustees.
Ignacio faces a charge of usurpation of official functions under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code.
The Ombudsman said his failure to secure board approval was not merely a technical lapse but a breach of the oversight and transparency safeguards required under the OWWA Charter.
It found that Ignacio allegedly exercised powers beyond his legal authority in carrying out the transaction.
The Ombudsman, however, dismissed the corruption complaints against other former OWWA officials and the private sellers involved in the property purchase.
Cacdac said the DMW would seek reconsideration of the dismissals and ask the Ombudsman to reassess the department’s evidence.
The evidence allegedly shows that the transaction gave the seller an unwarranted advantage and caused damage or prejudice to the government.