|
For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
|
|
This website includes selected articles from this week's edition of the Filipino Express. Not all the stories published in the printed version appear on this site.
|
|
|
|
To tell us what you think about Filipino Express Online or to comment on the stories published here, E-mail us at Filexpress@aol.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEW YORK --- While preparation for the Philippine independence celebration is gearing up, some folks are already positioning themselves for next year’s top post in the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI).
Although some people do not see anything wrong with that notion, there are those who are riled up. They say that their posturing is totally inappropriate, if not insensitive.
But hey, isn’t anyone entitled to have a goal and an agenda when they are enmeshed in PIDCI politics? It’s been said that anyone who has a 20/20 vision and sets their sight into the future has a better chance getting elected in PIDCI. You only have to look at the history of PIDCI and you’ll know what I mean.
This early there are three insiders who are considered as front-runners or early contenders for the presidency: Ludi de Asis-Hughes, Gani Puertollano and Wilson Versoza, all from New Jersey. Surprisingly, no one yet has surfaced from New York. And I’m not sure if Raul Estrellado, also of New Jersey, has still that fire in his belly to make another run.
Both Hughes and Estrellado lost in their earlier bid as president and overall chair, respectively. Meanwhile, Puertollano has been a board member for two terms and Versoza is completing his first of two years.
Unlike Sofie Abad, Lolita Compas, and Nimia Lacebal who have been with PIDCI eons ago, the early front-runners are just starting out and may just be formulating their own vision of the organization.
And since popularity is likely an element to get elected in PIDCI without the usual “hakot” backing, the three are seen in most community functions.
For instance, take Versoza. He is also involved as a committee chair in Jersey City’s Philippine American Friendship Committee (PAFCOM). He was occupied with Passaic’s Philippine Day Organizing Council grand marshal night and recently, with the Heritage festivities in Bergenfield.
On the other hand, the soft-spoken Puertollano, who has led the Federation of Filipino American Societies of New Jersey and the Philippine American Friendship Committee, two of the top organizations in New Jersey, has been seen in several community functions as well.
He is not perceived as actively promoting himself as a candidate yet but if his smile works and his side-kick, Paul Versoza (no relation to Wilson), confirms you know he has something in mind. As some people say, silent water runs deep.
Hughes is seen as still giving out proclamation certification from the New Jersey governor to every Tom, Dick, Harry and Sally in most functions she attends. She also has been vocal about her candidacy in PIDCI.
As the assistant director of the Office of Consumer Finance, New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, she continues to assist “Fil-Am businesses succeed with compliance; licensing and regulatory issues” and “helped in appointments of Fil-Ams in the state advisory boards to give Filipinos a voice in government.”
But there are some concerns about her that she may not be aware of. Among these is her alleged use of the State of New Jersey official stationery even when she is not undertaking her position in an official capacity.
Another is her involvement in soliciting advertisements or sponsorships to community functions or events from mortgage companies in New Jersey which are within her purview as assistant director.
Some call this as a potential conflict of interest; others say it is a question of “delicadeza.” Whatever it is, I hope this is not covered by New Jersey acting Gov. Richard Codey’s recent executive order on ethical responsibility of state workers.
You see, Hughes may have all the good intentions helping PIDCI and other organizations she is associated with but if her community service would run afoul with her job as a government functionary, we don’t want to see her go through any problem. It is better that she keeps her job and protect the interest of the public that she is sworn to serve. That’s first and foremost.
The three have their own groups, “hakot” or not, that support them. But even organizations which are considered “hakot” may soon have to prove that they are not what they are perceived to be. Paying a $35 membership fee is easy; you just have to watch the number of organizations grow come election time.
Which brings us back to the question raised by some people about the motivation of the three leading contenders: Are their posturing or positioning appropriate or not?
I’ve said my views. What do you think?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
