Many inaccuracies in Pimentel’s “Opinion Piece” comment by Kate Andres

I was the president of PCC-NSW during the 2005 State Visit of President Fidel Ramos to Australia. A Steering Committee was established, composed of presidents/heads of community associations (PCC non-affiliates included) to organise the community meeting with President Ramos on 19 August 1995. Jess Diaz (then FILCCA President) and myself as incumbent president of PCC-NSW co-chaired the Steering Committee. Also, I was the incumbent president of PCC-NSW in 2003-04 when the fund-raising events for PACF (or MPC) were organised by PCC-NSW with the Philippine Consulate. As head of PCC-NSW during these periods, I was directly and actively involved in these activities and projects.

Mr Pimentel’s statement that the PCC-NSW had to beg the Filipino Multipurpose Centre to rescue it from litigation and embarrassment is a

I would ask Mr Pimentel to advise the basis of his statement. I thought journalists are supposed to write fair and true reports or write articles based on facts and ensure these are correct before they go on print. The PCC-NSW never asked the Filipino Multi-purpose Centre or any of the PACF Trustees or its Chairman or CEO for any form of help or assistance relating to the 2005 Darling Harbour Convention Centre Meeting with the President Ramos event or rescue it from that alleged litigation and embarrassment.

There was no litigation case. The funds were short by $4,778.00 to foot the total bill of $14,586.50 for the event venue but PCC-NSW, (which unfortunately had to bear the costs for the Steering Committee) arranged with the Darling Harbour Authority for extension of time to pay the balance. PCC-NSW paid the balance through fund-raising events and voluntary contributions. PCC-NSW raised over $3,000. Then Consul General Abadilla donated $200, I shelled out $200. Manny Villon, who called me to inquire about the shortfall, offered to donate $800. I thanked him for his donation but he asked me to keep it in private. So PCC-NSW settled in full the bill of Darling Harbour Authority. Below is my reply point by point to Mr Pimentel’s statements:

1. The venue for the event was decided by the Steering Committee. The item was tabled in a meeting and the members (presidents or representatives of over 30 community associations) voted to hold the event at Darling Harbour Convention Centre on 19 August 1995 with over 3,000 people in attendance including Australand & Philippine government officials and press people. It was not a decision made by FILCCA or PCC-NSW but by a Steering Committee that was tasked to organise this event with Pres. Ramos.

2. PCC-NSW did not in any way make a statement that the MPC would be an embarrassment for Pres. Ramos to visit. I, as president of PCC-NSW or in my personal capacity, never made such or similar statement.

3. On the recipient of the over $30,000 raised at the 2003 Philippine National Ball at Westin Hotel Grand Ballroom, which was jointly organised by PCC-NSW and Philippine Consulate General, this was decided by the community leaders present in the community meeting convened by then Consul General Zeneida Collinson.

Obviously, Mr Pimentel was absent in that 2003 Ball as I mentioned in my Welcome Speech that the funds raised from that Ball will be used to construct a community centre. Also, it was PCC-NSW which strongly endorsed for the funds to go to MPC. In the discussions prior to the vote, the majority suggested the purchase of a piece of land and start a new centre project. I stood for MPC and declared the Centre must stand so the funds should go to MPC.

So contrary to Mr Pimentel’s statement, it was PCC-NSW that stood firm and supported MPC whilst the rest lost faith in MPC. This is evident in the further funds donated by PCC-NSW to MPC in 2004 amounting to over $7,000.00 through the holding of Philippine National Ball and the Hotdog Concert.

I have records in my possession to show facts and figures (in invoices, letters, statements and other documents). Should anyone be interested to know more information about these matters written by Mr Pimentel then please feel free to contact me (Mob: 0434 544 434).

I trust the above will set the record straight.

Kate Andres
email: kandres1313@hotmail.com