The past few months have been witness to the magnifying rift between two factions within the Filipino Community Council of Victoria, Inc. (FCCVI) over various issues such as alleged mismanagement and leadership skills within the council. Allegiances have been aired on social media platforms through cryptic messages and hearsays which led to further tensions within the community. Last Friday, 7 August 2015 a paid staff was terminated due to alleged mismanagement. The police were called to escort the said staff and supporters out of the FCCVI premises.
On Monday, 10 August 2015 the FCCVI Executive Committee issued the following statement to The Philippine Times regarding the matter: “The Filipino Community Council of Victoria, Inc. (the Association) has recently learned of allegations of mismanagement by an employee. As a result of this, the Association was required to investigate and take action. On the basis of this investigation, the allegations of mismanagement were substantiated and appropriate action was taken. The employee was terminated as a result of the investigation. The Executive Committee is required to conduct itself in accordance with its rules as set out in its Constitution, and has acted in a fair and transparent way.”
The statement further says that due to the sensitive nature of the allegations, the Association will not be able to supply further information. It noted that it respects the employee by maintaining confidentiality at all times.
The Philippine Times has contacted the terminated staff but the said staff opted to keep mum on the issue under the basis of confidentiality and privacy.
Despite the silence, this does not prevent other members from posting personal statements and comments on the issues on social media by which they have been airing their grievance on the disunity of the Filipino community as a whole in the interest of a few stakeholders.
Marina Garcia-Ruivivar, Founding President of FCCVI, expressed her concern on the repercussions of the ongoing tension on the operations of the Association. She told The Philippine Times, “It is unfortunate that this happened and my concern is focused in ensuring the FCCVI will retain its funding support from the relevant government departments – to maintain ongoing provision of appropriate aged care programmes to the most needy i.e, elderly citizens of the Filipino-Australian community Victoria-wide.”
A recent assessment by the Australian government on the efficiency of the organisation garnered 100% effectivity on the governance and aged care services despite the ongoing rift between the factions. Garcia-Ruivivar, who is also the Founding President of the Filipino Communities Council of Australia, Inc. (FILCCA), hopes that FCCVI will maintain its efficiency and its credibility for funding as a means of upholding its responsibility to the staff and the beneficiaries they are concurrently serving. She was even quick to quote the four key duties of committee members as stated in the Law for Not-For-Profit Organisations wherein, “The members are to act in good faith for the interest and purpose of the council, to act with reasonable care and skill, to properly use information gained from their position and to manage conflicts of interest.” This, she believes, should be in accordance with the vision and mission of FCCVI to unite and commit its energies to full service and generosity.
In lieu of the events that have occurred, both sides conducted separate closed-door meetings to discuss the issues and probable actions. Meanwhile, the other members of the community are hoping these talks would cement the division of the Council entirely.
Below is the complete statement of Garcia-Ruivivar:
It is unfortunate that this happened and my concern is focused in ensuring the FCCVI will retain its funding support from the relevant government departments– to maintain ongoing provision of appropriate aged care programmes to the most needy i.e, elderly citizens of the Filipino-Australian community Victoria-wide. I trust that the recent audit results of 100% for both governance and aged care services will prove FCCVI as duly accredited provider and deserved its funding to continue – and that the beneficiaries will not be disadvantaged at all, as well as the other staff who are doing their best for their clients at all times!
Finally, the FCCVI with its member organisations must uphold its vision and mission to unite and to commit its energies to serve than to be served and to give than to receive. The members are to act in good faith for the interest and purpose of the council, to act with reasonable care and skill, to properly use information gained from their position and to manage conflicts of interest (4 key duties of committee members written in the law for not-for-profit organisations).
May we all be an instrument of peace…an agent of change for the good of all those we serve!
Mabuhay at maraming salamat po at patnubayan tayong lahat ng ating mahal na Panginoon.
Rina Garcia-Ruivivar
Founding President
FCCVI and FiLCCA Inc
10 August 2015
