Message to the Filipino Community from the Interim Management Committee Chair

To The Filipino Community                                               

Last Sunday, 28 April 2013 was a very significant day for a final resolution of the many issues concerning the management of the Philippine Fiesta of Victoria, Inc.

It was somehow a very painful time for all the members who attended the Annual General Meeting.  It was indeed ironic that there had to be two opposing sides when our aim was but one – the preservation of the Philippine Fiesta of Victoria, Inc. and all its assets, tangible and intangible, for the benefit of all the Filipinos in Victoria.

The decision which the Concerned Members of Philippine Fiesta of Victoria,Inc. took to formulate and present the three (3) Special Resolutions to the General Membership of the PFVI was not an easy one.  After all our decision would affect people that some of us personally know, or have dealings with either in a professional capacity, in business or socially.  We believe, however, that the option of a holding a Special General Meeting to resolve our differences was a better one to initiating litigation against PFVI Management Committee.

The General Membership of the PFVI and perhaps many in the Filipino community may not be aware of what brought this “showdown” last Sunday which started in 2008.  As in many dispute cases, they usually start with a small issue which gets bigger and bigger, and bigger.  This was what happened in the Fiesta.  One issue led to another, and another until the crux came with another sale of the portion of the property.

The General Membership last Sunday, 28 April 2013 voted to hold a Special General Meeting at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting after the PFVI Management Committee decided to walk out and refused to participate in the proceedings.  Three (3) Special Resolutions were unanimously approved.  The Special Resolution 1 to stand down the PFVI Management Committee headed by Ross Manuel and their services immediately terminated was unanimously approved.   Special Resolution 2 to appoint a seven (7) member Interim Management Committee was likewise unanimously approved.  Special Resolution 3 to review, amend, redraft or update the PFVI Constitution was also approved.

I was elected as Chairperson of the Interim Management Committee of seven (7).  The rest are Eddie Atacador, Noel Tolentino, Hugo Boy Espenida, Tony Lugo, Gerry Ocampo and Rolly Hernandez.  Our term is only for three (3) months as from 28 April.  Our task is to take full control of the management of the Philippine Fiesta of Victoria, Inc. and organize a Special General Meeting for the election of the new PFVI Management Committee to take over the remaining term of the former PFVI Management Committee.  None of the members of the Interim Management Committee will be eligible to stand for election as a safeguard to unlawful manipulations.  Our priority is to deal with the PFVI Constitution so that by election time there will be no uncertainties of rules and regulations within the Act.  We hope to engage the services of professional accountants for a forensic study of the PFVI finance, bank accounts, etc. to determine the financial standing of the PFVI.   The sale of the property is another priority to protect the PFVI asset and we definitely need the services of a qualified solicitor.  We urge the members of the former PFVI Management Committee and, for that matter, the rest of the Filipino community, to cooperate and work with us.

On behalf of the General Membership of PFVI I would like to put on record our thanks to Ross Manuel and his team, some of whom like Ross, had served for ten (10) years.  I sincerely hope that a new generation of PFVI will evolve from hereon.  I can assure the PFVI General Membership that we will give you a good foundation to build a better, stronger, transparent organization that will serve the Filipino Community better.

MAINA M WALKLEY

Chairperson, Interim Management Committee

Philippine Fiesta of Victoria, Inc.

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