by Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC)
Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010 at 10:46 AM
epcc_la@hotmail. com 818-749-0272 1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, Ca 90026
As the FACLA imbroglio thickens, two more FACLA directors resigned due to more impending cases to be filed against FACLA board of directors Meng Gatus and Benjie Lopez.
According to letters procured by the EPCC NEWS, latest to resign as members of the FACLA board were Mandy Francisco, newly designated interim FACLA president and Andrea De Guzman.
FACLA directors Nene Jensen and Dick Digal resigned earlier after some differences with FACLA president Meng Gatus in 2009.
EPCC NEWS
January 25, 2010
FACLA Imbroglio: Two More FACLA Directors Resigns
Los Angeles—As the FACLA imbroglio thickens, two more FACLA directors resigned due to more impending cases to be filed against FACLA board of directors Meng Gatus and Benjie Lopez.
According to letters procured by the EPCC NEWS, latest to resign as members of the FACLA board were Mandy Francisco, newly designated interim FACLA president and Andrea De Guzman.
FACLA directors Nene Jensen and Dick Digal resigned earlier after some differences with FACLA president Meng Gatus in 2009.
Mandy Francisco resigned last January 21, 2010 as a director and interim President citing in his letter, “ FACLA is not progressing in the direction that we strongly believe in the importance of work and service that we will provide the community. Honestly, I totally lost hope for UNITY. “
Andrea De Guzman meanwhile cited on her letter of her “ difficulty to find time to attend our meetings.” And “ my business is busy at this time and I don’t find the luxury of time to spare at this moment.”
FACLA Board Decimated
FACLA board has been decimated due to several resignations. Almost half of the elected board have resigned or have been disqualified since May 2009. The problems stems from differences and cases between the president and some board members.
The FACLA Board in a resolution last January 7, 2010 No. 01-07 suspended Meng Gatus, Apolonio Julian, Rita Dinsay and Linda Nery for “ utter disrespect for efforts to restrain them and have them observed proper decorum”
They were placed “ on preventive suspension until the duration of their cases in court.” The resolution approved by eight (8) members of the board including the suspended president Meng Gatus.
Contrary Opinion
On the other hand. Atty. Joel Ward wrote the FACLA board questioning the legality of the FACLA directors meeting last January 7, 2010. Calling it “ null and void”. Ward said “ Francisco acted as interim president without any authority in support of that position.”
Ward also said, “ “ It is all obvious that his (Gatus) suspension as well as the appointment of Mr. Francisco as interim president was conceived prior to the meeting in a vain attempt to justify these illegal actions. He further advised his clients “ that any purported suspension was illegal.” And “they should continue to remain as directors…”
He then cautioned the board that “ I ( Ward) recently filed against Mr. and Ms. Gatus.” He further stated “ My clients intend to file a new complaint against Gatus’s and Mr. Lopes for threatening their lives.”
Besides the courtroom drama on FACLA cases, the Filipino-American community is watching and waiting for more developments in FACLA.
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