Elsa Collado and the Ace Team were declared the winners by default at the Philippine Community Council (PCC) elections which was held on Sunday, 7 February 2010 at Chester Hill. Dressed in “save the environment” green, they proved that they could indeed clean up the environment – if only the PCC backyard.
Returning officer and past PCC president, Manny Diel declared the ACE team the winners. Included in the 2010 board are, Elsa Collado (President), Alric Bulseco (VP-External), Serna Ladia (VP-internal), Noel Bernardo (Secretary), Alexis Leones (Treasurer), Solina Lapalma (PRO) Millie Banan (Auditor). The directors included: Robert Bock, Marivic Manalo, Arturo Sayas, Prince Merl Gonzales, Mauricio de Vera, Remedios Macina and Nenita Weekes.
The team won unopposed after Cen Amores and her cohorts withdrew their nominations and walked out in protest of the election proceedings. It was the march of deliverance as others stood, watched in amazement and clapped. However, not all of Cen Amores team walked out. Those who had the decency to stay included Jhun Salazar, Lee Mekan, Mariam McCauley and Richard Ford.
The exodus drew comments from the crowd. One former PCC director said: “I was expecting this (the march) to happen.” Another added: “Yes they did that too in Hawaii, when the decision did not go their way, they marched out.”
It was a last hurrah for exiting President, Ronaldo Villaver for having initiated the much-awaited clean up of PCC. With the help of some of his 2009 board members including past president Rey Manoto, they swept 36 clubs into the suspension bin, pending review and submission of compliance forms. Villaver was unflappable and kept cool under the elevated tension of the attendees and maintained the Board’s stand to disallow clubs from voting for non compliance of the constitution.
Magic Numbers
To understand the exodus and the controversy, one would need a sneak preview of PCC’s history. The new unsuspecting recruits would have been dragged into the arena blindfolded. They would not have been briefed nor would they have understood what was happening.
Prior to 2005 (Kate Andres’ term), PCC barely had 38 members. This doubled to 78 during Neria Soliman’s term in 2005. While Soliman reached out to existing clubs to join PCC, there was also a sudden birth of clubs – names without faces. It was also during this time when Jimmy Lopez dissected the Ilocos region and formed little clubs. Some survived; some did not but continued to exist. The result of this sudden increase in club numbers saw Jimmy Lopez clinching the presidential seat in 2006. The following year, the numbers ballooned to over 100 members. Ruben Amores took the reins of PCC in 2007 despite the questionable 88-98 results. (88 voters came to vote – but 98 votes were counted). In 2008, Manoto’s members dropped back to 46 and in 2009, Villaver got elected to the post with the membership back to 78.
Such fluctuation of numbers raised questions and suspicions from the community but remained unanswered. This year, a total 46 affiliates renewed their membership and the list of members was read aloud.
The Controversial Clean-up
From the observation deck, it was chaotic. Nerves were frayed, emotions running an all time high and logic was definitely scarce.
One raised the issue of having been a “community supporter” but obviously delusional because the person had no club. Another, an ex-PCC president at that, had the temerity to repeatedly insist on being the “proxy” for a club but failed to produce the signed proxy form. This time, rules were imposed without fear or favor.
The Amores camp complained about the disqualification of some members from voting. They also complained about the timing of the clean-up and conflict of interest as Collado was the chair of the election committee and also an aspiring candidate.
In a phone interview prior to the election, Ruben Amores agreed to the clean-up initiative but said “it was the wrong timing.” In an email exchange appealing to past presidents, Amores stated, “… just like in the work place, where a review or assessment is meant primarily to assist – not to kick people out.”
While Amores suggestions are valid, I cannot help but wonder why he did not implement such initiatives during his term. And besides, how does one do it when there’s no one there. The lights are on but no one’s home. (Unfortunately, the Amoreses have refused to be interviewed by phone or in person citing a busy campaign schedule then.)
A day prior to the elections, Ruben Amores made one final bid to the board appealing for the reinstatement of the voting rights of 22 affiliates. However, the list was simply a list and did not provide any proof that the clubs complied with the membership prerequisites as stipulated in the constitution. Furthermore, there was also the question why Amores was doing the appealing instead of the respective club presidents.
As for the timing, there would have been no better time to do it. To have reviewed the membership straight after the 2009 elections or in the middle of the year would have given some ample time to re-manufacture or fabricate new clubs which would have appeared at this year’s elections.
On the question of ‘conflict of interest’, it would have made no difference whether Elsa Collado was chair of the committee or not. As the VP internal, it was her responsibility as mandated by the constitution to receive the club renewals. It was her responsibility to ensure that clubs met the necessary criteria. No one was favoured and all clubs were subjected to the same scrutiny. All clubs were provided the letter and forms. The burden of proof lay on the club and their respective representatives to comply within the designated time frame. Those questioned still had the opportunity to present their case to the general assembly but did not.
In fact, such initiative would have been more of a disadvantage for Collado as some in retaliation may have opted for Amores. Ultimately, the election committee would not have held the voters’ hand when filling up the ballot.
As this was an initiative of the 2009 PCC board and Ms. Amores was the VP then, one can’t help wonder where she was during the decision making.
Lillian takes a bow
Lillian de los Reyes took centre stage and with humility, graciously revealed bowing to peer pressure for years. Lillian openly admitted keeping the Bulacan Association alive despite having only one member. This had been allowed since the time of Kate Andres way back in 1995. She was also made a board member in 2002, again during Kate Andres’ term. Rather than whining, others should follow the example of Lillian de los Reyes.
At this point, there really is no denying as others have now raised their hands in admission and bowed their heads in regrets. “Perhaps, I’ll build the club and come back next year. It is only right.” said Lillian.
No doubt, there will be those who will feel slighted, dejected and rejected and their egos a little bruised. But it too shall pass. After years of nagging, Villaver finally did it! This initiative is perhaps the only redeeming value for PCC after its years of deterioration and people in their sheer arrogance failed to rectify the mistakes. We can only hope that those who cleaned it up will remain vigilant and continue their efforts without fear or favour.
On a final note, as for the example of leadership demonstrated, I think I would go with one who steadfastly clings to their basic values and principles rather than one who marches out when the going gets tough. As per the Manuel Uy Philippine lottery advertisement says: “Ang umaayaw ay di nagwawagi.” (Those who quit do not win.) More importantly, remember, the truth comes back to bite you!