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| Ignacio endeared himself to HK OFWs by joining them in their activities, like zumba on the street |
Two big groups of overseas Filipino workers have expressed divergent views on the Php1.4 billion land mess that led to the sacking of Arnell Ignacio as administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-Migrante) has called for the immediate prosecution of Ignacio, who was fired by Malacanang on May 21 for allegedly buying the land without the approval of the OWWA Board, and using money meant for the repatriation of distressed migrants.
“Dapat lang na pormal na sampahan ng kaso ng Department ofMigrant Workers si Arnel Ignacio. Dapat gawin ito sa lalong madaling panahon. Hindi kayang pagtakpan ng mga matatamis na ngiti at salita ang mga katiwalian,” said a statement issued by Unifil-Migrante yesterday, May 27.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
(It is just right for the Department of Migrant Workers to file formal charges against Arnel Ignacio. This should be done immediately. Sweet smiles and words should not be allowed to hide corruption).
Unifil-Migrante also urges a full and comprehensive audit of OWWA Funds, especially in light of DMW disclosures that Ignacio managed to divert funds meant for OFW repatriation so he could buy the land without the approval of the OWWA Board.
The group also expressed concern that Ignacio managed to sign the deed of sale for the land without OWWA Board approval, that he allowed the seller to get a ‘refund’ of the Php36 million that he paid for the local transfer tax, and to continue collecting rent for the land despite ownership having transferred to the government as early as September last year.
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| Pindutin para sa detalye |
“Dapat na itulak ang full and comprehensive audit ng pondo ng OWWA dahil karapatan ng mga OFWs at mamamayang Pilipino na masigurong ang pondo ng bayan ay nagagamit nang maayos at hindi nalulustay. Dapat managot at ikulong ang mga mandarambong ng pera ng mga OFWs,” said Unifil.
(It is just right to push for a full and comprehensive audit of OWWA’s fund because it is the right of every OFW and citizen of the country that public funds are used properly and not squandered. All those who plunder money meant for OFWs should be held to account and jailed).
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| Global Alliance posted a video to rally support for Ignacio |
However, another group, Global Alliance of Filipinos in Hong Kong, has called on President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to reinstate Ignacio, saying he “served sincerely with dedication and humility.”
The group, which was named by OWWA Hong Kong as its exclusive partner in organizing festivities for OFWs, said Ignacio was the only OWWA administrator who made them feel loved.
“His dedication during
his tenure gave us hope that no matter how far we are with our family and no
matter what problem we encounter outside the country he is there to catch us
when we fall,” said the statement.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
It ended the short post with a message to Ignacio, saying they believe his conscience is clear, and that all he was after was good governance.
Although the group made the post on behalf of all OFWs in Hong Kong, many of those who posted comments on their page were critical of their stance, saying there appeared to be strong evidence that Ignacio had committed the illegal acts he is accused of.
