Arnell Ignacio cites family as reason for quitting OWWA post
MANILA, Philippines — Television host and Comedian Arnell Ignacio revealed on Wednesday that he resigned from his post at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) because he needs more time for his family.
“Ubos na ubos na kasi oras ko ang trabaho sa OWWA. Halos 24/7 (I have very little time because of my work at OWWA. It’s almost 24/7),” he told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview.
Ignacio said he did not have time to talk to his father who is battling Stage 4 cancer.
“Limang daan na missed calls, hindi ko alam na he was going to tell me that he is sick (There were 500 missed calls. I didn’t know he is going to tell me he is sick),” he said.
“[May] Stage 4 cancer siya sa prostate. Siyempre, family yun dun ako nakokonsenya lahat ng tao ko sinasagot ko [pero] Dad ko kinakausap ako tawag na lang niya ‘di ko masagot,” he added.
(He has stage 4 prostate cancer. I am bothered by my conscience that I can respond to other people’s requests, but I can’t answer my father’s calls.)
Article continues after this advertisementIgnacio, a staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, resigned as the deputy administrator of OWWA.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Arnell Ignacio resigns from OWWA post
Malacañang also confirmed Ignacio’s resignation, saying he has “proven his competence in public service.”
Ignacio, a staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, resigned as the deputy administrator of OWWA.
Malacañang also confirmed Ignacio’s resignation, saying he has “proven his competence in public service.”
READ: Palace confirms resignation of Arnell Ignacio from OWWA
Ignacio lamented that he could not provide for his father’s medication as he had a meager salary as a government official.
“Sakit sa kalooban ko na dami kong natutulungan pero yung pamilya ko di ko matulungan and then yung gamot niya paano ko bibilhin e ang liit ng salary ko dito,” Ignacio said.
(It pains me that I can help a lot of people, but I can’t help my own family. How can I even buy medicines if my salary here is so small?)
The comedian said he would go back to being a Television host, noting that he turned down a lot of offers in the past such as a role in the television series “Ang Probinsyano.”
“I am just going back to sa trabaho ko […] ‘Ang Probinsyano,’ tinanggihan ko. Lahat ng hosting jobs tinatanggihan ko. I was rejecting all offers right and left. Na-shock ako sa laki ng tinatanggihan ko,” he said.
(I am just going back to my previous work. I turned down “Ang Probinsiyano and other hosting jobs. I was rejecting all offers right and left. I got shocked by how much I was turning down.)
But he disclosed that he might take a position as spokesperson of JUAN Movement Partylist.
Duterte appointed Ignacio as Deputy Executive Director V of OWWA on Jan. 23, 2018.
READ: Duterte appoints De Vera CHED OIC; Paras is DOLE Usec
Before his appointment at OWWA, Ignacio was also named assistant vice president for the community relation and services department of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor). /ee
