OVERSEAS Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) Deputy Administrator Faustino Sabarez III succumbed to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) Wednesday night, September 8, 2021, in Manila. He was 54.

His death occurred on the heels of the controversy surrounding the purchase in 2020 of the allegedly overpriced sanitary napkins from a hardware store by Owwa as flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA).

Sabarez was asked in August by Owwa Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac to explain the transaction.

Sabarez was appointed as Owwa deputy administrator back in March 16, 2020.

Cacdac said Sabarez had served as head of the ECQ/MECQ Owwa Ground Operations, which leads the provision of services to returning OFWs requiring food, transport, and hotel quarantine services.

"When OFWs under hotel quarantine grew anxious and weary as they awaited release of their PCR test results or acceptance by their home LGUs, DA Bubsie (Sabarez) personally visited OFWs in their hotels to assure them of Owwa care and support," Cacdac said.

"When we needed someone to lead Owwa in OFW reintegration, airport salubong, or OFW Women's Month efforts, DA Bubsie was there to take charge," he added. (HDT / SunStar Philippines)