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Nimia Lacebal’s broken promise
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NEW YORK --- I really don’t understand how Nimia Lacebal, president of the Philippine Independence Day Committee, Inc. (PIDCI), exercises her leadership. It’s been almost 45 days since she was elected and I see her violating the PIDCI by-laws.
If I remember correctly, she promised to uphold the by-laws when her group, led by her adviser, Juliet Payabyab, was drafting proposals to amend certain provisions. That was before the member-organizations finally ratified the changes prior to the elections on Oct. 30.
Now that she is president, where has her promise gone? Has she forgotten what she said on many occasions that organization rules have to be strictly enforced? Has power gone into her mind just like predecessors?
And what makes it more disturbing is for some board members allowing her to get away with it that just mocks the very essence of what governing laws are for. This has nothing to do with partisanship but doing what is right.
First off in my list: Why was Sofie Abad, appointed as Finance and Budget Officer when no such office exists? And why would the treasurer report to her? I’ve raised this question previously but everyone else in the board seems to have overlooked or ignored it.
If the post was on a committee level, I would understand such appointment following Article IV, Section 3, and Paragraph F of the by-laws. And even with such appointment, it is stipulated: “with the advise of the Board.”
Second, why was Abad given the authority to sign corporate checks when such function is provided only for the president and the treasurer as stipulated in Article IV, Section 4, Paragraphs A and B? And speaking of checks, why should the address of the president be imprinted on it instead of just the name of the corporation?
Moreover, why would bank statements be mailed to the president instead of to the treasurer who should have custody of both the checkbook and all financial statements related to her function?
Third, was Jun Hornilla’s appointment as non-voting internal auditor confirmed by the Board pursuant to Article IV, Section 1, and Paragraph A?
Fourth, appointment of committee chairs. Article V, Paragraph B, which pertains to the Philippine Independence Celebration, stipulates that the president shall “appoint, with the advise and approval of the Board, a Committee Chair for each major celebration event, i.e. The Diwa Night, Independence Ball, Parade, Street Fair, Street Festival & Cultural Program, General Services, Cultural Series, Journal, Way & Means (Fundraising) and Security.”
Alice Francisco was tapped by Lacebal to chair the Independence Ball. However, apparently, as a result of a letter that was received by members of the board, her nomination is in question, prompting an emergency board meeting to be convened to discuss this issue among other matters.
(By the way, Francisco has sent me a letter in response to last week’s column: “The Other Side of Alice Francisco.” I am arranging that her lengthy personal letter be published in its entirety next week. She also sent another letter to several people explaining her side, which she likewise sent me, a copy of.)
But inside sources say that Lacebal is pushing confirmation of Francisco’s appointment. It seems to me that prior to last week’s revelation about Francisco, Lacebal has made up her mind and so has Francisco. Apparently, at a meeting arranged by Payabyab held at the Waldorf to celebrate Francisco’s birthday, the deal was sealed.
This is now, I think, a test of Lacebal’s leadership. Despite the concerns surrounding Francisco’s circumstances, would she still push for her or nominate someone else?
Again, as I said previously, instead of accepting the nomination, it would be more humbling for Francisco to turn down the offer. Truly, such a move is not an acceptance of defeat or weakness but proof of her strength and magnanimity even in troubled times. Otherwise, it will prove what people perceive her to be.
On the other hand, Lacebal should withdraw the offer. While she could argue that Francisco’s admission of fraudulent practice as specified in her Consent Agreement and Order from the New York State Department of Health State Board for Professional Medical Conduct as well as from the State of New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs, Board of Medical Examiners and also, the State of Michigan Department of Community Health, Board of Medicine, did not affect the community per se, in the final analysis, Francisco’s omissions relate to ethical grounds.
That should be Lacebal’s most important consideration in her decision, not personal friendship. She should not just be aware of this but also she should uphold the PIDCI by-laws to the letter, just as she promised.
Send comments to rickyxpres@aol.com or visit Website at PinoyOnBoard.com.
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