The administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Arnell Ignacio received criticisms on social media because of a social media post that was shared using the official page of the agency.
On January 29, OWWA’s Facebook page shared the photo of Ignacio while eating at an eatery in Bacoor, Cavite.
The page caption even praised Arnell for eating a simple meal while wearing a luxury watch that some people recognized as a Patek Philippe Nautilus Jumbo.
“Mga Kabayan OFWs… Isang lugawan sa Bacoor Cavite ang naging susyal… Naka patek watch ang OWWA Admin Arnell Ignacio diba while eating the lugaw. Very humble yet sosyal diba hahaha,” the government-owned page wrote.
According to a luxury online store, the said watch may cost around $297,890 (16,316,924.75 PHP).
Netizens accused Arnell of using the government page to promote himself and flex his luxurious lifestyle.
They also criticized the government official because the post happened after his visit to the wake of OFW Jullebee Ranara.
“Bakit ganito ang government officials natin sa gitna ng kalunos-lunos na sinapit ng isa nating kababayan sa Kuwait.” netizen @raffymagno said.
“It is only in the Philippines where you can find a government official boasting about their Patek Philippe watch and post it in the official government agency’s official Facebook page. How distasteful! Es un sinvergüenza!” netiuzen @jecodraysbak commented.
As of writing, the post has already been deleted by the admins of the OWWA page.