Officials Under Scrutiny in P1.4-Billion Land Acquisition Deal
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has launched an investigation into whether other officials were involved in the controversial P1.4-billion land acquisition deal, beyond the dismissed Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator. This move follows allegations that the transaction was conducted without proper authorization from the OWWA board.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac emphasized that authorities are still gathering crucial information on the anomalous deal before filing any charges. “‘Yan ang isang bagay na sinusuri ngayon, ‘yung posibilidad na merong iba pang sangkot. Kasi ang ipinalit sa Board ay isang komite within the OWWA. Hindi kinonsulta ang Board pero may sariling komite na binuo,” Cacdac explained in a recent interview.
He clarified, “(That’s something that we’re looking into now, the possibility that there were others involved. Because the Board was replaced by a committee within the OWWA. The Board was not consulted about this project because this committee was formed.)”
Details of the Land Acquisition Deal and Ongoing Review
Cacdac added that the investigation aims to identify all those who participated in the decision to bypass the OWWA Board and proceed with the transaction. “Ito ang sinusuri natin kung sino ang kasama dito, sa pagpapasya na hindi konsultahin ang Board at mag-proceed dito sa transaksyon na may mga aspeto na kailangan pa nating lalong suriin,” he said.
The land deal, valued at P1.4 billion and made under the leadership of the former OWWA administrator, intended to purchase property near Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1. According to sources familiar with the matter, the property was supposed to serve as a halfway house or dormitory-type accommodation for overseas Filipino workers.
Following the controversy, OWWA Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne “PJ” Caunan took over as administrator after the previous head was removed due to “loss of trust and confidence,” reportedly tied to the unauthorized land transaction.
Possible Recovery and Project Viability Under Review
When asked about the possibility of recovering the P1.4 billion involved in the deal, Cacdac replied, “‘Yan ay isang bagay din na pinag-aaralan pa natin.” He added, “(That is also something we are still studying.)”
The DMW is also reevaluating whether the land acquisition project should continue amid the ongoing inquiry. Officials are carefully weighing the transaction’s implications to protect the interests of overseas Filipino workers and maintain transparency.
For more news and updates on the P1.4-billion land acquisition deal, visit Filipinokami.com.