P1.4B land deal complaint filed vs ex-OWWA admin Ignacio

Graft and plunder complaints have been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against former OWWA administrator Arnell Ignacio and eight others over an alleged unauthorized P1.4 billion land deal.

The charges include violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Act Penalizing the Crime of Plunder, and Malversation of Public Funds and Property.

The complaint involves Ignacio, his two former deputy administrators, and six individuals from the seller group.

Ignacio and his deputy administrators were removed from their positions in May.

Ignacio stated the property was intended for a halfway house for returning OFWs near NAIA Terminal 1, but the DMW Secretary emphasized that the OWWA board did not authorize the land acquisition transaction.

The DMW also noted that the property's proximity to the airport runway made it unsuitable for development.

Irregularities were uncovered, including vouchers and checks being signed before the deed of sale was executed.