Showtime at the Embattled Filipino Centre Toronto

Volume 3, Issue No. 9

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . . .

 

Our latest as of Friday, October 22, 2021 

~ It's showtime for this multi-millionaire non-profit come November 14. Would Filipino Centre Toronto bare it all, or would it just go through the motions of having a gathering to placate members and whistleblowers insisting on an audit of the organization? The likelihood of a show is very much in the offing as could be gleaned from the agenda, which does not address the reasons for demands for transparency and accountability.

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Filipino Center Toronto Breaks Funereal Silence

CALLS MEMBERS TO A MEETING NEXT MONTH

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

“A meeting consists of a group of people who have little to say - until after the meeting.”― P.K. Shaw

TORONTO - The Filipino Centre Toronto, the multi-millionaire non-profit embroiled in controversy with its members over money, appears to have somewhat softened its hardline stance with its call for a general meeting next month.

Given the funereal silence of FCT officials in the last three years at least, the planned gathering on November 14, 2021, at Burrows Hall Community Centre, 1081 Progress Ave., seems like a breakthrough of some sort. (Incidentally, why hold the meeting in another facility 3.4 kilometers away instead of at the FCT building?)

However, it's still early to say FCT is yielding to unrelenting pressure from within its ranks and from select media outlets to abide by its public avowal of transparency and accountability. (Video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZFXKzvQqYY&t=1s).

That pressure, echoed many times over by whistleblowers and amplified by local media, is for FCT to submit to a third party independent audit of its finances for the years 2016, 2017, and 2018. (Full story at: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/search?q=filipino+centre+toronto).

Such an audit, according to knowledgeable sources, has been approved in 2018 by members in a member-motion procedure the FCT constitution provides but remains unimplemented. (Related story at: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/09/fct-officials-oppose-audit.html).

The scheduled meeting will consider five items in the agenda, the most notable of which are two, namely: one, the "Audited 2016, 2017 and 2018 Financial Statements" and two, "To pass an extraordinary resolution to not appoint an auditor and not to have an audit or a review engagement in respect of the 2021 financial year".

What FCT passes off as "audited" financial statements are actually those held in "review" only. sources explained. An audit is more thorough than a review as the former involves examination, verification, and analysis of documents. That's the main reason for the demand to have an independent third-party audit.

One of the major issues around which an audit revolves is the payment of $678,000 FCT made to money claimants soon after the organization sold its old building in downtown Toronto for $5.9 million.

The claimants and the amount of money paid were: "Vicki" (Dr. Victoria Santiago) - $300,000; "RCJ" (Rosalinda Cerudo Javier) - $96,000; "Felino" (Felino Javier) - $122,000; "CRA" (Canada Revenue Agency) - $122,000; "Wendy" (Wendy Arena) - $30,000; and "S and J Mechanicals" - $8,000.

FCT is supposedly run by volunteers. But when the $678,000 disbursement came out showing some of them were compensated, not a few members said they "felt sick to the stomach to learn that they are being paid".

"For a not-for-profit corporation like FCT," writer Cress Vasquez observed, "it seems odd that it can unload a large amount of cash without hesitation. But after selling its Toronto building for $5.9 million in January 2017, FCT directors have their milking cow".

Last month, Vasquez disclosed that FCT had made out cheque payments to Efren de Villa, FCT chairman; and board members Frank Cruzet and Philip Beloso. None of the three officials denied the claim by Vasquez who said he has canceled cheques as evidence that they received money from FCT.

 

Efren De Villa (no relation to Nenette de Villa, a board member; and Maria Corazon de Villa, a former member), Cruzet, and Beloso are "strongly against" the audit, according to Vasquez. And so are Mary Ann San Juan, president; and Theresa Lumanlan, chief financial officer, he said.

Vasquez believed Lumanlan "surely knows the dark secrets of FCT". He wrote: "She would likely know where dead bodies had been buried with regard to genuine or bogus vouchers, cash flows, repair and maintenance fixes, who got what and how much, and unreported taxes".

The agenda's Item #4 (To pass an extraordinary resolution to not appoint an auditor and not to have an audit or a review engagement in respect of the 2021 financial year) appears to be legally untenable. For it to be considered requires amending the FCT constitution, sources said.

"It is also wrong to publish the notice for an annual general meeting without providing the membership copies of the financials -- like before the members will not be given copies, but only a presentation,' sources explained. (Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved).

FCT Opens Its Mouth With a Warning to Critics

Volume 3, Issue No. 8

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . . .

 

 Our latest as of Monday, October 18, 2021 

~ Flush with enormous cash it had never seen in its 20-year life, the Filipino Centre Toronto appears ready to slug it out in court to keep critical information to itself than give in to widespread demands for an independent audit of its finances. That's how it looks so far. Through a lawyer, the non-profit has responded for the first time to questions from a community writer while vowing to defend the organization from scurrilous attacks. A new revelation claimed payments to lawyers have reached at least one-fifth of a million dollars.

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TORONTO'S MULTI-MILLIONAIRE NON-PROFIT

Writer Alleges Runaway Spending at FCT

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

“Integrity is the most valuable and respected quality of leadership. Always keep your word.”  - Brian Tracy

TORONTO - Fresh allegations of unauthorized spending by officials of the non-profit Filipino Centre Toronto have surfaced in news articles published this week in Filipino tabloids.

Prior to the publication, a lawyer has warned that FCT will defend its reputation from "ill-informed and scurrilous attacks". (Related stories at: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/search?q=filipino+centre+toronto).

The author of the article, Cress Vasquez, responded: "Any veiled threat would not deter responsible journalism".

The exchange between the writer and the FCT lawyer is the latest to come out of the years-long controversy over FCT's reluctance to submit to an independent audit - not a review preferred by FCT - of its finances demanded by members and whistleblowers. (Video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZFXKzvQqYY).

Of particular interest to the membership is how FCT officials led by its president Mary Ann San Juan and chair Efren de Villa are disbursing funds from the proceeds of the $5.9 million sale of its old building, and an unexpected avalanche of monetary claims soon after it was concluded.

The lawyer, identified in Vasquez's article as Mark Donald, has stressed that "details of the FCT's financial status are disclosable to members of the organization only". (Full story at: https://www.atinitonews.com/2021/10/legal-sources-say-500k-paid-to-couple-likely-violated-fct-constitution/).

He claimed in his reply to Vasquez that FCT "has made full and forthright disclosure to its membership regarding the payments" Vasquez had described.

Donald, according to Vasquez, is a libel lawyer chosen by San Juan during her "lawyer-shopping" spree. FCT's other counsel, Ramon Andal, apparently remains in the fold. (Related story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2020/12/fct-tries-to-be-funny-amidst-pandemic.html).

In his article, Vasquez raised a new issue involving monetary awards totaling "$546,296 to three individuals for alleged unpaid salaries and allowances in 2016 and 10 years back" for which, he claimed, members and the board of directors had no knowledge.

It is not clear if the amount - $546,296 - is part of, or entirely separate from, what had been previously disclosed, which is $678,000.

The $678,000 went to pay claimants in 2017, namely: "Vicki" (Dr. Victoria Santiago) - $300,000; "RCJ" (Rosalinda C. Javier) - $96,000; "Felino" (Felino Javier) - $122,000; "CRA" (Canada Revenue Agency) - $122,000; "Wendy" (Wendy Arena) - $30,000; and "S and J Mechanicals" - $8,000.

The $300,000 made out to Dr. Santiago appears to be a reimbursement of her personal loan to FCT, according to Vasquez, "for a series of payments to lawyers (not identified) from 2006 to 2012 for a total of $205,255.70." In addition, payment also went for roof repair amounting to $90,000. (Related story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/09/fct-officials-oppose-audit.html).

Making note of San Juan's refusal to have an independent audit, which in her words "would cost a lot more, about $10,000 more for each year", Vasquez said "she has exhibited a looseness with FCT funds for expensive lawyers whose main job is apparently to write simple emails (for San Juan) or raise the specter of libel".

The "expensive lawyers" he mentioned in the article were not named. Nor was there any breakdown of how much FCT paid to whom, for what, and for what period of time.

However, the alleged payment from 2006 to 2012 of $205,255.70 antedated the sale of FCT's old building in January 2017. The building fetched a whopping $5.9 million, which easily made FCT a multi-millionaire.

In October 2014, the FCT forked out at least $400,000 to settle its legal dispute with Dr. Francisco Portugal who the FCT had reinstated five years after he was dismissed from the organization. He passed away in February this year. (Video and full story at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqlJH4SIYsc).

One highlight of Vasquez's article was the allegation that FCT has violated its constitution and by-laws by paying salaries and allowances to officers, directors, and members who were supposed to be volunteers. Besides, a special resolution authorizing such payment contravened FCT by-laws.

Previously, Vasquez claimed some officials were paid monies evidenced by canceled checks made out to Efren de Villa, FCT chairman; and board members Frank Cruzet and Philip Beloso.

So, in its current state, what is the true and real situation in FCT?

In January 2017, FCT got $5.9 million for its old building. Months later, payables had surfaced for which FCT apparently paid a total of $678,000. In 2018, FCT bought a one-story structure in Scarborough for $1.9 million.

Thereafter, FCT announced allocating $1 million for remodeling.

It seems the money generated by the building sale is fast dwindling. Is this the reason FCT has stayed mute? (Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved).

PHL Election 2022: 87 Eye Presidency, 28 Vice Presidency

Volume 3, Issue No. 7

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . . .

 

 Our latest as of Friday, October 8, 2021 

~ A slew of presidential wannabes totaling 87 has thrown their hats into the political ring in hopes of succeeding the populist President Rodrigo Duterte in the May 9, 2022 elections in the Philippines. Except for five who are considered serious front-runners, many of the other aspirants fall into the category of nuisance candidates, some of them with nary a chance of winning, let alone amassing a decent number of votes. More than 18,000 elective seats are at stake in various levels of government.

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MAY 9, 2022 ELECTION

87 Vie for President of the Philippines 

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

“People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election.” ― Otto von Bismarck

TORONTO - Four incumbent national officials, a former senator, and a city mayor are among 87 individuals of different political persuasions, social standing, and religious beliefs in the race for president of the Philippines, updated elections records show.

Whoever emerges the winner in the general elections on May 9, 2022, will replace President Rodrigo Duterte, the incumbent 76-year-old populist who by law is termed out after serving six years from June 30, 2016, to June 30, 2022. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodrigo_Duterte).

The Philippine elections office said that as of September 2021, it has already processed a total of 63,364,932 registered voters out of a population of 109.6 million counted in 2020. That voters' number is below the 73.3 million projected by the country's statistics authority for the year 2022. 

A simple majority of votes cast will decide the winner. 

Considered by many as front runners are former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., age 64; incumbent Senators Panfilo Lacson, 73, and Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao, 42; the present Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo, 56; and current Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso aka Isko Moreno, 46. 

The recently-retired world boxing champ Pacquiao's eagerness to capture the top elective post showed early on, registering his candidacy on October 1, the very first day the elections office began accepting registrants. Moreno, a former actor, followed on Oct. 4. Lacson and Marcos filed the same day on Oct. 4. 

And after much dilly-dallying, Robredo finally signed up on the last day, Oct. 7. To the big surprise of many in and out of his party,

Senator Ronald "Bato" de la Rosa, 59, added his name to the list within hours before the deadline.

Twenty-eight candidates, separately or in tandem with the presidential aspirants, are running for vice president, the second-highest post in the land now occupied by Ms. Robredo, among them incumbent Senators Bong Go, 47, Tito Sotto, 73, and Francis Pangilinan, 58; and Representative Lito Atienza, 80.

As it is a general election, other national, regional, provincial, and local seats are up for grabs 

too, including for some members of the two houses of Congress - the Senate and the House

of Representatives. The latest unofficial count shows more than 18,000 open positions.

In Metro Manila, the national capital region, seats at stake are in 32 congressional districts, 

16 highly urbanized cities, and one municipality.

Overseas voters can cast their votes from April 10, 2022, to May 9, 2022, the latter date being the actual day of the election, according to the Commission on Elections.

In Toronto, the Philippine Consulate General has announced that the Commission has extended the registration period for overseas voting by two weeks or until Thursday, October 14, 2021.

Requests for appointment for voting registration can be sent by email at ovs@philcongen-toronto.com.

Documents needed for the appointment are a valid Philippine passport, and, if a dual citizen, identification certificate or oath of allegiance or proof of Philippine citizenship (report of birth if born abroad of Filipino parents). (Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved).

Filipinos' Voice in Canada's House of Commons

Volume 3, Issue No. 6

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . . .

 

Our latest as of Tuesday, October 5, 2021 

~ The formal swearing-in as a member of parliament has yet to take place but Filipinos in Canada are so enthused with the election on Monday, September 20, 2021, of one of their own, Rechie Valdez, to the House of Commons. Celebrations are quite modest because of the pandemic but just the same, her ascent to a federal post is a consequential episode that needs to be memorialized in the Filipinos' continued quest for mainstream recognition and acceptance.

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FIRST FILIPINO WOMAN TO WIN SEAT IN CANADA'S PARLIAMENT

Filipinos in Canada Celebrate Rechie Valdez 

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

“Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.” ― Mark Twain

TORONTO - From close-knit families to diverse neighborhoods to the bigger communities in and outside Ontario province, a collective sigh of relief was palpable as Rechie Valdez, a 41-year-old mother of two, emerged triumphant in her first and only known foray into mainstream Canadian politics.

Outside of her "fearless" and "creative" self as "a community leader", not so much is known about her political thoughts and leanings. As it appears, she's more like a corporate and management person working in multiple industries, including banking where she says she's has had 15 years of experience.

From what is claimed on her website (https://www.chietopia.com/about), Rechie Valdez is good at multitasking, thus, she became a self-taught baker and solo entrepreneur, co-founded a line of pastries, spearheaded a non-profit basketball fest, became producer and co-host of a culture podcast, and hosted a global conference for professionals. (Background video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW_8DFPz9pw).

A local entertainment writer, obviously carried away by "this new winsome member of our Parliament" as she calls her, describes Rechie Valdez as "the modern power woman who brings an additional vibe, a beacon of sureness, like a breath of fresh air in an era of near-constant masked uncertainty". Whatever that means.

Now, just over two weeks after the federal election on September 20, 2021, Rechie Valdez is celebrated near and far and across Canada for having earned - with her win - the distinction of being the first Filipino woman Member of Parliament in Canada.

Considering the paucity of Filipino representation in the 338-member House of Commons since 2004, the historic breakthrough is reason enough for Canadians of Filipino descent and non-Canadian Filipinos to commemorate her rise from virtual partisan anonymity to a high-profile MP for Mississauga-Streetsville, one of six federal electoral districts in the city of Mississauga, a western suburb of Toronto.

The Canadian census of 2016 showed there are 851,410 Filipinos all over Canada, which is equivalent to 2.25 percent of the population as of that year. Most of them live and work in Ontario, specifically in the provincial capital of Toronto, also Canada's largest city.

Rechie Valdez will be the second MP of Filipino heritage. The first is Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, now 86 years old, who served from 1988 to 2004 representing Winnipeg North-St. Paul riding in Manitoba province.

Orientation sessions are underway for 52 newly-elected MPs - Rechie Valdez is one of them - preparatory to the opening session of the 44th Canadian Parliament sometime this fall. 

Related story at: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/09/rechie-valdez-makes-history-as-first.html).

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau retains his seat as Prime Minister even as his administration will still be a minority government as his party falls short of 170 seats needed for a majority. Per the election, the Liberals has 159 seats in the House of Commons; the Conservative Party, 119; Bloc Quebecois, 33; the New Democratic Party, 25; and Green Party, two.

"MP-elect Valdez’s achievement became an inspiration and a role model to young boys and girls," says Consul General Orontes V. Castro who welcomed her and her family during a visit to the consulate office in midtown Toronto on Thursday, September 30.

To which she replied, according to a press release from the consulate: "We all know how big of a moment this is for our community and what this election meant to us. 

"I want you all to understand that this is not just about me or about us here," she stresses. "It’s about what this means for our Filipino Community as a whole and that finally we have a voice in Parliament.” 

At the same event, Consul General Castro presented MP-elect Valdez "the Quincentennial Award as her election victory coincides with this year’s Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines".

Just how much of a "voice in Parliament" would Zambia, Africa-born Rechie Valdez be for the Filipino community? 

That's the big question whose answer lies in the near future.

Three attempts, the first on September 24, and the third and fourth on October 3, to get Rechie Valdez to respond to 10 questions from this reporter proved futile. As of this writing today, Oct. 5, she still has not replied.

I hope her nonresponse is not an indication of what she will be as a sitting member of Parliament. The novelty of being a first or a second this and that wears off easily. (Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved).