OWWA SCANDAL

Last Friday, news broke that Arnell Ignacio was unceremoniously removed as Administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The reason? A familiar yet serious phrase: loss of trust and confidence.

The controversy stems from a reportedly shady Php1.4 billion land deal in September 2024. Whistleblowers allege that officials tampered with documents from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Registry of Deeds to misclassify the transaction. Their goal? To disguise it as a Capital Gains Tax deal (vs. a VAT-able deal) and slash the government’s rightful share—cutting taxes by a jaw-dropping Php84 million.

Why does this matter to the rest of us?

Because it busts a myth many property owners believe: that once you secure the BIR’s Certificate Authorizing Registration (CAR), you're in the clear. But here’s the reality check—right at the bottom of every CAR is a warning we tend to gloss over:

"This Certificate... is issued for registration purposes only... The Bureau, however, is not precluded from assessing and collecting any deficiency internal revenue taxes that may be found due from the taxpayer after review/investigation."

In plain English: just because it’s registered, doesn’t mean it’s bulletproof.

This scandal is more than just political drama—it’s a sharp reminder that real estate deals, even the ones with all the "right" paperwork, can still come under the microscope.

All it takes is one disgruntled party to bring everything to light.