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Should Alice Francisco step down as PACBC president?
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NEW YORK --- It is a common pledge of anyone taking an oath of office to preserve, protect and defend the constitution and by-laws of its organization. With a raised right hand and a left hand placed on top of a Bible, it is considered a serious and solemn vow not only to observe and enforce the rules but also to discharge the responsibilities of the office accorded the person.
Alice Francisco, president of the Philippine American Community in Bergen County Inc. (PACBC) had no problem stating those words or words to that effect when she took her oath of office at the beginning of the year. Her term of office is for two years.
But I and some members of PACBC have a problem with that. Amid the solemnity of a ceremony, I would have goose-bumps hearing those words from her like when I read a five-page handwritten letter addressed to her and signed by a certain "Nervously Lukewarm."
This anonymous letter is one of those letters which was circulated to a number of people since the elections controversy began involving Joseph Tieng, a former auditor, and Francisco. Tieng was the subject of three letters, the last of which was perhaps as vicious as a Rottweiler or Doberman attack dog.
The latest letter to Francisco, however, was mild, reflective of the past, caring and more personal. The tone of the letter was subdued. It wasn't hateful and showed concern for Francisco's success and the PACBC. There was no need for Nervously Lukewarm to sign off the letter with that cover.
I'm sure Francisco would have wanted to receive such letter with an open mind if it wasn't anonymously.
As I said previously, I cannot reconcile how as president Francisco can enforce the by-laws when she herself is in violation of it. Well, if the PACBC officers and members of the board took an oath of office, it is expected that they should take action to enforce the law. If they refuse, what could be said of them?
"Nervously" wrote "that the so-called leaders of PACBC including the one you visited daily in the hospital when he was sick, is letting this controversy rage on unabated as if waiting for a tsunami disaster to douse the flames that is now threatening PACBC. Where is the verbal bravado he is known to display? What are the so-called founders from Paramus and Tenafly doing?"
And "Nervously" went on to write further that if Tieng was allowed to run against Francisco, he would have not won anyway because "he did not have many people indebted to him as your supporters are to you."
Because of Francisco's "stature, the eloquence and popularity," "Nervously" wrote, was for her "to be smart and politely avoid direct confrontations with [Tieng]." The letter-writer blames her for "verbally abusing him and embarrassing him in front of a general membership meeting" held in August.
"Nervously" also made reference to Francisco's preaching righteousness, love, charity, Godliness and decency" but was astonished to read her letter to a certain priest in Staten Island chastising him.
Finally, the letter ended with a good wishes and a hope for a changed heart. But before "Nervously" signed off, was the jab: "I will be looking at you with great interest and curiosity and my eyes are just another pair among the many that are focused on you. I wonder how long we can keep a straight face amidst the glare of everybody's sight trained on us. I wonder how long it takes for "delicadeza" to goad us to make a decision that will restore respectability to our organization, one that we and the "other side" have worked so hard to put where it was before our administration took over. If "delicadeza" does not set in, then I will probably quit and dismiss this whole thing as the great and infamous case of the numb and callous."
Francisco was advised not to investigate the identity of the author of the letter. Instead, she should spend time digesting its message. "If you think the message is wrong," "Nervously" challenged Francisco, "prove it."
But knowing Francisco, she will not step down as president. But if she does, apparently she has a plan B. Even though Rey Perez, was elected into office, the vice president whom she appointed (Largoza) may take over. If this was true, it's one of those Francisco's smart moves. The question is: Is this righteous?
Should Alice Francisco step down as PACBC president? You tell me.
Send comments to rickyxpres@aol.com or visit Website at PinoyOnBoard.com.
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