Echo Park Community Coalition

Nov. 19, 2008

Contact Person; Arturo P. Garcia

(213)241-0906



Community Coalition (CBC) Sweeps FACLA Elections in LA



Los Angeles- The Coalition for A Better Community (CBC)'s 15-person slate led by former FACLA vice-president Rizalino > Manuel swept the Nov 16-18, 2008 Filipino American Community > of Los Angeles (FACLA) board of directors elections for the year 2009-2001.



The elections was held and the counting of votes was conducted by a private elections agency hired by FACLA. The counting of vote and the formal declaration of the outcome of the elections was held in FACLA on Nov 16 and 18, 2008.



Winners Proclaimed Nov. 18

Proclaimed winners with the number of votes gathered were: Letty Reyes- 641 votes; Gloria Resurreccion- 602 votes; Rizalino Manuel- 583; Alice Parino-559; Luz Garcia-554;Romy Jaravata-549;Terry Herrera-543; Cris

Florendo-542; Arturo Garcia-531; Sensen Dela Torre- 528; Adolfino Aguyon-525; Teresita Eligino- 515; Perfecto Tobias-508; and Ricky Songalia-477.

The Candidates of the Ideal Party also got their votes but failed to get a single berth. They were: Meng Gatus -286 votes; Nene Jensen-216; Rita Dinsay- 200; Mandy Francisco-181; Paul Julian- 180; Benjie Lopez-160; Erlinda Guerchoum- 157; Andrea De Guzman- 156; Gabriel Arellano-

- 147; Pat Kegley- 144; Toni Sheryll De Quiroz- 125; Agustin Baul-120; Ager Libago-93 ;Angeol Dayan- 89; and Dick Digal- 57.



Smooth transition



FACLA has been under the leadership of its President Dr. Jose baldonado for the last six years since 2001. Under his leadership FACLA has shaped up and have improved a lot the infrastructure and the involvement of FACLA in the community.



FACLA is touted to be the oldest non-profit community organization in Los Angeles. Formed in 1945, it constructed its building in 1965. Under the Baldonado’s leadership, the smooth transition into thre new board of director is assured.

FACLA 's improvements though not so much well-publicized can be sen on the improvements in the parking lot, the change in roofing, the dance hall and the many social activities it host for the seniors and the community,

According to the data furnished by FACLA, there were 1846 voters who registered but only 1004 voters voted during the FACLA elections or 54. 3% of the registered voters.

Big Tasks Ahead for newly elected officers



The next job of the newly elected board of directors is to elect their officers next year 2009 as they assume the mantle of leadership for the next three years.



The FACLA designated Commission on Elections conducted the elections were led by Atty. Mariano Cabanilla, Veronica Lo and Mr. Rowena Aquino. Dr Jose Baldonado and FACLA vice-president Ben Basilio were at hand to proclaim the winners of the FACLA elections.

The last activity of the old FACLA board is the unveiling of the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal in the FACLA compound on Nov. 22, 2008. This will be last official act of Dr, Baldonado after holding the successful elections last Nov 16-18.



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Proclaimed winners with the number of votes gathered were: Letty Reyes- 641 votes; Gloria Resurreccion- 602 votes; Rizalino Manuel- 583; Alice Parino-559; Luz Garcia-554;Romy Jaravata-549;Terry Herrera-543; Cris

Florendo-542; Arturo Garcia-531; Sensen Dela Torre- 528; Adolfino Aguyon-525; Teresita Eligino- 515; Perfecto Tobias-508; and Ricky Songalia-477.