Arnell Ignacio maintains P1.4 billion land deal transaction not anomalous: 'Wala po akong kinita dito'
Former Overseas Workers Welfare Association chief Arnell Ignacio denied allegations that the P1.4 billion land deal was anomalous, stressing that it went through the proper process.
“Ito po ay dinala namin sa board bilang report ng OWWA, at binusisi ng ilang technical working group na binuo din ng ating chairman Secretary Hans Cacdac na kaibigan ko. Walang nakitang iniliban na hakbang,” he told the media on Friday, May 23.
“Lahat ng mga requirements sinunod at sinabing maayos ang aming pagkakasunod sa RA 10752…Kaya ako gulat na gulat na tinawag itong anomalous deal,” he added.
Ignacio acquired a 6,499-square-meter plot of land near the Ninoy Aquino Terminal 1 to become a halfway house or dormitory-type accommodation for overseas Filipino workers.
“Napakabigat. Pagkatapos, napakaraming alegasyon sa akin. Saan nanggaling? Sa isang papel na walang nakapirma? Na andami daming sinabi na kinita ko? Pati nga 'yung numero, di na nga magkasundo kung magkano," he continued. "Wala po akong kinita dito."
The ex-OWWA chief said that the Land Bank of the Philippines assessed the value of the land, which they have paid in the exact amount. He added that they also secured a necessary permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
"'Di ko po ito itinago. Ito pong ganitong kagandang transaksyon, bakit namin itatago ito?” Ignacio said.
He also addressed the OFWs, saying, "Hindi ko kayo pinagtaksilan. Ginawa ko lang po ito para sainyong pagmamahal at wala po akong kinita dito," he said.
For his part, Cacdac had earlier said that they were looking for more information about the anomalous deal.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed Ignacio and OWWA deputy director Emma Sinclair's dismissal on Wednesday, May 21, due to the alleged anomaly. Ignacio was replaced by Migrant Workers Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan.
