in News & Culture, Politics, Social Media

OWWA issues statement over agency’s Facebook page admin’s erroneous survey post on its chief Arnell Ignacio’s love life

The survey sought the opinions of OFWs over Ignacio’s lovelife.

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An administrator of the Facebook page of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) got reprimanded for sharing a survey about the personal life of the agency’s chief Arnell Ignacio.

The survey sought the opinions of OFWs over Ignacio’s lovelife.

OWWA recognized the error and a statement was issued regarding the matter on February 1st, Wednesday.

“The FB post containing the personal concerns of the OWWA Administrator was erroneously posted on the official Facebook page of OWWA. Appropriate action has been taken. Thank you,” the agency’s statement reads.

Before it was removed, some Filipinos had taken screenshots of the controversial post and shared them on Facebook, Twitter, and online forums. The post was initially published on January 21.

Netizens also expressed their disappointment and accused Ignacio of misusing taxpayer funds for personal gain.

 

In a press briefing, Ignacio said the social media user got disciplined.

“This young, aggressive social media practitioner was reprimanded already,” he said.

“It was all in good intention, kaya lang nilagay niya sa official page.”

In response to the situation, Ignacio stated that the group responsible for OWWA’s Facebook page is undergoing reorganization.

He emphasized the importance of providing accurate information, since OWWA handles delicate cases concerning distressed OFWs. Ignacio is a former television personality.

“We have addressed this. And when I say we all need the right information, hindi kami exempted roon. Kasali kami roon. That is why took it down already,” he said.

Ignacio appealed to the public to concentrate on the assistance OWWA can provide to OFWs rather than the now-deleted post.

“There are more significant things to turn our attention to,” he said. 

This was not the first instance of an unfortunate event on OWWA’s Facebook page. Last weekend, they posted photos of Ignacio eating at a small restaurant in Bacoor, Cavite.

However, the caption was more focused on promoting the high-end watch worn by the comedian-turned-government official. The original post got removed, but users quickly took screenshots and shared them on various social media platforms.

“Mga Kabayan OFWs…Isang Lugawan sa Bacoor Cavite ang naging susyal. Naka [Patek Philippe] watch ang OWWA Admin Arnell Ignacio di ba while eating the lugaw. Very humble yet sosyal di ba hahaha,” the caption read.

According to a report, Ignacio wore a Patek Philippe watch with a price range between $21,000 and $485,000.

As of this writing, Ignacio has not yet commented on these matters.
Meanwhile, OWWA recently supported the family of the deceased overseas Filipino worker, Jullebee Ranara, with funeral and electricity expenses in the Philippines. According to previous posts on the agency’s page, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Ignacio, and other government officials visited Ranara’s wake to offer their condolences to her family.

Marcos also reportedly pledged government assistance, including scholarship grants for Ranara’s children. Ranara’s body was discovered in a desert in Kuwait on January 22.

Ignacio, who previously held the OWWA deputy executive director and deputy administrator posts during the Duterte administration, expressed gratitude to Marcos for entrusting him last year with the agency’s leadership dedicated to the welfare of Filipino migrant workers.

arnell ignacioOverseas Workers Welfare AdministrationOWWAPatek Philippe

Written by Charles Teves

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