MANILA, May 26 -- Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said they are preparing to file criminal and administrative charges against officials involved in a questionable PHP1.4-billion land acquisition deal made by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) without proper authorization.

"In due time, appropriate administrative and criminal cases will be filed against responsible OWWA officers who participated in the anomalous transactions," Cacdac said in an official statement issued on Monday.

Cacdac reiterated that former OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio was removed from office due to "loss of trust and confidence" over serious procedural and substantive lapses.

He said the deal in question was executed without the requir...