EPCC NEWS
April 29, 2015

FILAM LEADERS REJOICED IN VELOSO’S STAY OF EXECUTION IN INDONESIA

Los Angeles—“ It’s a miracle!”

Southern California community leaders were ecstatic on the stay of execution of OFW Mary Jane Veloso in Indonesia as eight other convicted drug traffickers were executed last April 28, 2015.

All the efforts of the Filipinos in the homeland and abroad, the Philippine government is in a last ditch effort to save her life and President Aquino III break in protocol ended in a good news.

Vigils for Mary Jane Veleso and prayers in the Philippines and abroad were conducted days before the announced execution last April 28, 2015.

TALAKAYAN sa FACLA community leaders prayed in solidarity for OFW Mary Jane Veloso last Thursday, April 23, 2015 before their discussions on community issues.The prayers were led by veteran FilAm journalist Larry Pelayo.

President Aquino III Broke the Protocol

President Aquino III talked with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on the sidelines in Malaysia. When he did not get a nod for clemency, President Aquino broke the protocol and called personally the Foreign Minister of Indonesia.

That act convinced the Indonesian authorities according to the Attorney General of Indonesia.
The DOJ and police authorities in the Philippines announced that the suspected illegal recruited and drug trafficker has been arrested.

For more information about TALAKAYAN sa FACLA please contact Art Garcia at (213)241-0995 or emai at [email protected],net.

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EPCC NEWS
April 27, 2015

FILAM LEADERS PRAYS IN SOLIDARITY FOR OFW MARY JANE VELESO AT TALAKAYAN LA FORUM

Los Angeles—Southern California community leaders fervently prayed in solidarity for convicted OFW Mary Jane Veloso now in danger of being executed in Indonesia at the weekly TALAKAYAN sa FACLA last Thursday, April 23, 2015.

According to the latest news that the Indonesian court has just rejected the 2nd appeal for Veloso.

PH President Aquino III has appealed personally to Indonesian President Joko Widodo during the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia. But still, Indonesia has announced that the executions will continue.

Solidarity Prayers

Journalist Larry Pelayo led the solidarity prayers for Veloso who was moved to the prison island in Indonesia for her execution. Those in attendance prayed silently for Mary Jane Veloso.

The community leaders still hope for a miracle but are resigned to the fate of Veloso who is about to die by execution by firing squad in Indonesia.

The Philippine government is in a last ditch effort to save her life and President Aquino III had sent his 3rd letter to the Indonesian President asking for clemency. He also sent Vice President Binay to Indonesia to lead last rdriche fforts to save Veleso’s life.

For more information about TALAKAYAN sa FACLA please contact Art Garcia at (213)241-0995 or emai at [email protected],net.

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NEW FACLA NEWS
April 26, 2015

FACLA CELEBRATES PLATINUM 70th ANNIVERSARY, APRIL 26, 2015

Los Angeles– FACLA celebrates today its Platinum 70th Anniversary!

Here are the significant milestones of FACLA’s 70th years:

1. FACLA has embarked on a building development program and will inaugurate a new building and social hall two to here years for now that will serve as the new edifice and symbol of a new FACLA.

2.FACLA has catered for more than 70,000 clients for 2014. IT has surpassed its 2013 record of more 50,000 client served as a Cultural center of the Filipino American Community.

3. FACLA has continues to serve the Filipino American community in joint ventures and projects on the different cultural, economic and political spheres.

4.With other entities like the City and country, as well as the state government and the other non profit agencies like the neighborhood councils, the FILAMARTS and other people’s and community organizations FACLA has forged ahead.

5. FACLA has continued to lead and support the struggle for immigrant rights, legalization, pathways to citizenship, for rights and welfare of Filipinos and Filipino Americans, oru World War II veterans and widows and seniors as well as our youth.

MABUHAY ANG FACLA!

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ALLIANCE NEWS
April 24, 2015

ALLIANCE PHILIPPINES: REMEMBER THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ON ITS 100th YEAR, NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE

Los Angeles- “The denial of genocide means twice death by forgetting”

The Alliance-Philippines today militantly remember and is in solidarity with the Armenian people and the Armenian-American community in the United States when it commemorated with protests and memorials the centenary of the the Ottoman Turkish Empire ‘s Armenian Genocide on April 24, 2015.

The Filipino people also knows what genocide is as it remembered the Filipino people’s genocide by the Americans when they destroy the First Philippine Republic from 1899 to 1916.

Like the Filipino-American War like the Turkish systematic massacre of 1.5 Armenians happened when the US troops occupied the Philippines. In the province of Batangas alone, 600,000 Filipinos perished by hunger, forces evacuation and strategic hamleting.

The Armenian Genocide Remembered

During the First World War, the Armenian genocide was the first documented genocide in the 20th century and started with the arrest and killing of Armenian intellectuals and political leaders in Istanbul, Turkey on April 24, 1914.

More than 1.5 million Armenians perished from forced evacuation and marches as well as systematic massacre of Armenians by the Turkish army .
The Turks also systematically destroyed churches, schools, monasteries and whole communities in what is now know as Eastern Turkey which was then called Eastern Armenia.

Largest Protests in LA

The Alliance-Philippines commends the City of Los Angeles by unveiling of a marker and naming the intersection of Western and Hollywood Avenues as the Armenian Genocide Memorial Square on April 24, 2015.

After the unveiling more than 130,000 Armenian and Allies marched towards the Turkish Consulate in Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. Prominent LA political leaders also marched with the protestors.

The Filipino-American community is one with the Armenian community because up to now the US Congress does not recognize the 250,000 Filipino World War II veterans who fought for America.

Like that the US Congress and President Obama’s refusal to recognize or call the Armenian Genocide for what it is, they continue to deny the Filipino-American community and its veterans of their rights and benefits.

We will not forget and will continue to fight for justice.

No Justice, No Peace! Genocide is genocide, lest we forget!

Arturo Garcia
National Coordinator
Alliance-Philippines
Los Angeles

April 24, 2015

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EPCC NEWS
April 23, 2015

FILAM LEADERS PRAYS IN SOLIDARITY FOR OFW MARY JANE VELESO AT TALAKAYAN LA FORUM

Los Angeles—Southern California community leaders prayed in solidarity for convicted OFW Mary Jane Veloso now in danger of being executed in Indonesia at the weekly TALAKAYAN sa FACLA last Thursday, April 23, 2015.

Journalist Larry Pelayo led the solidarity prayers for Veloso who was moved to the prison island in Indonesia for her execution. The community leaders still hope for a miracle but are resigned to the fate of Veleso who is about to die by execution by firing squad.

The Philippine government is in a last ditch effort to save her life and President Aquino III had sent his 3rd letter to the Indonesian President asking for clemency. HE also sent Vice President Binay to Indonesia to lead last rdriche fforts to save Veleso’s life.

Trash “Aguinaldo Doctrine”

Meanwhile, the FIlAm community leaders also expressed support for Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno in her efforts to invalidate the 59 year old “Doctrine of Condodation” also known as the “Aguinaldo Doctrine” being used a defense by Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay.

FACLA 2nd Vice president Dr. Veronico Agatep that he was the plaintiff against then Governor Rodolfo Aguinaldo that resulted in the 1989 Supreme Court decision that later became known as the “Aguinaldo Doctrine.” That absolved the defendant of his cases because of the doctrine “once an elected official won his re-election his case has been absolved.”

EPCC Leader Arturo Garcia said, “Sereno was right in saying this law encouraged local officials to abuse their power. The law must be repealed that make monsters like Governor Aguinaldo of Cagayan who was a fascist human rights violator.”

May 2016 PH Electlons Heats up

Meanwhile the Southern California leaders also reiterated their support for Seantor Grace Poe in case she runs for President of the Philippines on the May 2016 elections.

Dr. Orly Cagampan said, “ the groundswell of support for Grace Poe is a breath of fresh air for the Philippines. This proves that there is consistent source of support for Grace Poe and it is not just a fad for the Filipino voters.’

On the other hand, Mindanaoan Freddie Castaneda of FAME expressed misgivings on the expected Senator Bongbong Marcos political run, “ I doubt it if he can win even the vice-presidential race even if he teamed up with Binay in 2016.’

Dr. Marc Caratao said,”Vice President Jojo Binay is still the man to beat in the 2016 elections” that elicited different remarks from the attendees of TALAKAYAN

For more information about TALAKAYAN sa FACLA please contact Art Garcia at (213)241-0995 or emai at [email protected],net.

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ANNOUNCEMENT
April 09, 2015

The members oi the Board of FACLA hereby announce the extension of the filing of Candidacy and Election of the Members of COMELEC.

The new deadline of the filing of Certificate of Candidacy shall be May 15, 2015

The Elections of the Members of the COMELEC shall be May 31, 2015 at 3:00 PM.

Qualifications of a Candidate:

1.He/She must be at least twenty one (21) years of age, he/she must be a legal resident of the County of Los Angeles.

2. He/She must be a member in good standing for at least one (1) year before the Elections of Commissioners.

3> He/She must at least knowledge of the Elections Laws and U.S. Constitution and must at least have some legal background.

Austin Baul Jr.
President/CEO

NEW FACLA NEWS
April 21, 2015

FACLA CELEBRATES 70th PLATINUM ANNIVERSARY , April 25-26, 2015

Los Angeles—MABUHAY ANG FACLA!

The Filipino American Community Of Los Angeles (FACLA) will celebrate its Platinum or 70th Anniversary for two days from April 25 to 26, 2015 at its Social Hall at 1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026.

FACLA President Austin Baul Jr said, ” Anniversary Committee Chairs Susan Oca and Linda Nery said that the celebrations for April 25, 2015 will for loyal FACLA members and supporters. It is $10 donation and no one turned away. The event will be from 12;00 noon to 4:00 PM.

On the other the April 26 at 6;00 PM grand celebrations will be a $ 50 ticketed event. Many government officials and top personalities were invited to the affair.”

FACLA’s Checkered 70 Years History

FACLA is celebrating its Platinum 70th Anniversary on April 26, 2015. FACLA was founded on April 26, 1945 in Los Angeles.

On the closing stages of World War II , on April 26, 1945, a Filipina named Petra Hernandez, and three Filipinos; Jose A. Reyes, B.G. Aquino and Alex H. Velasco, all farm workers and residents of Los Angeles established the Filipino Community of Los Angeles (FCLA) as a non-profit organization and made it the oldest existing non-profit organization in California and the United States;

From 1945 until 1963, FACLA grew from two halfway houses into growing facilities. They were able to add a big annex with a social hall and planned to build a cultural center. This became that became a reality

in 1965 when a modest one-story building with a social hall was built.
It was named as the Filipino American Cultural Center. Basically a center for Filipino American Cultural identity.

For more information about the FACLA please call(213)484-1527 or email us at [email protected] and visit our website at newfacla.org

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FILAMS 4 POE (F4P)
Los Angeles
April 20, 2015

FILAMS 4 POE ELATED OVER SWS SURVEY RESULTS IN PH

Los Angeles- RUN, Poe, RUN!

The Filipinos 4 Poe (F4P), a newly formed political action movement for Senator Grace Poe is extremely elated over the rencent result of the SWS Survey in the Philippines.

Historic Filipinotown People’s Council (HFPC) Mayor Jerry Esguerra said” The recent SWS result should encourage Senator Grace Poe to make his political plans known this early so that the Filipino American can do it’s part in The United States”.

Esguerra, also a FACLA Director also said, “Poe ‘s ranked second in the SWS survey conducted from March 20 to 23 this year with 31 percent, which was a five-percentage point away from Binay’s 36 percent rating. “

Again, Esguerra pointed out, “Poe’s March rating was a big increase from the previous 21 percent she received in December last year, proved that she is a candidate to watch.

This time, the SWS validated these results is not just a fluke but a naked truth that she is the candidate to beat comes 2016.”

Poe Still Humble

Senator Grace Poe on her part said, “I am humbled by the results of the survey. I view it as a positive appreciation and validation by a good number of our countrymen of my work within and prior to the survey period,”

Unlike Binay, Poe has yet to decide whether or not to join the 2016 presidential race.

The F4Pleader Arturo P. Garcia, a community leader from Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles has been calling her( Senator Grace Poe) to declare herself a candidate in 2016.

That is for the Filipino-Americans in the United States so that the motions can be set for the campaign for 2016 Presidential elections.

For more information about the HFPC please call Jerry at (818)749-0272 or email us [email protected]

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EPCC NEWS
April 19, 2015

FILAM COMMUNITY LEADERS SUPPORTS OMBUDSMAN AGAINST “DOCTRINE OF CONDONATION OR “AGUINALDO DOCTRINE”

Los Angeles – Filam Community leaders were united in their stand last TALAKAYAN Sa FACLA, Thursday, April 16 on their support for the Ombudsman against the “Doctrine of Condonation” or “Aguinaldo Doctrine.

Ombudsman Chief Conchita Morales-Carpio brought this up as the lawyers of Mayor jojo Binay used this doctrine as an argument against is suspension before the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno questions this doctrine because “it is being used to abuse power and foster graft and corruption”.

She added,” there are 35,000 elected local officials and if everyone uses this doctrine, its an excuse for the abuse of power.”

“Aguinaldo Doctrine” breeds graft and corruption.

Alliance leader Arturo P. Garcia said, “ we support the Ombudsman because it will be a handicap against the government’s campaign against graft and corruption if the accused officials use this law in their favor.”

RVNC leader Dr, Orlando Cagampan brought out the fact that “Senator Grace Poe is a little less than 5 points away from the survey leader Vice President Jejomar Binay.” That brought discussion of the TALAKAYAN into the 2016 presidential elections.

On the other hand FACLA Directors Susan Oca and Linda Nery, guests of TALAKAYAN Sa FACLA gave an update on the FACLA 7oth Anniversary an invited the community leaders to the 2-day celebrations of FACLA on April25 and 26, 2015.

FACLA’s 70th Anniversary April 25-26, 2015

Anniversary Committee Chair Susan Oca said that the celebrations for April 25, 2015 will for loyal FACLA members and supporters. On the other the April 26 grand celebrations will be a $ 50 ticketed event.

FACLA is celebrating its Platinum 70th Anniversary on April 26, 2015. FACLA was founded on PAril 26, 1945 in Los Angeles by four people, one Filipina farm worker-Petra Hernandez and other 3 Filipino farm worker.

For more information about the epcc pleas call(213)241-0995 or email us [email protected] and visit our website at newfacla.org

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EPCC NEWS
April 18, 2015

END THE WAR IN MINDANAO, PASS THE BBL NOW-PROF.MIRIAM CORONEL-FERRER

Los Angeles- “End of the War”-this will be the end result when the Bangsa Moro law passed in the Philippine Congress and a plebiscite come May 2016.

This was the response of Prof.Miriam Coronel-Ferrer when asked by the FilAm media last night. April 17, 2015 in a hurried forum on peace hosted by the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles. Prof. Coronel is the Chairperson of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
Coronel also said,” Imagine the progress that will come from the end
of the more than 40 years war that had cost more than 100,000 lives in Mindanao. “

Sexist Attacks

On the question if she is being rattled by remarks why are they defending the BBL, MILF and Malaysia, She also scored the sexist remarks of some of those who are opposed to the Bangsa Moro Law and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

She has been called names even at the Senate and Congressional hearings in the Philippines by some lawmakers.

“Look at women at high positions like Hillary Clinton We are subject to sexist attacks and innuendoes like Clinton about her “hard choices”, like I have a Malaysian husband etc. That is a universal thing when women speaks their mind.”

“Despite calls for us to be removed from OPAPP, did the President Aquino heed their call. The President trust us and we served the President. Coronel quipped.

Old timer journalist Larry Pelayo, addressing the remarks said, “But the President is hard –headed.” To which Coronel answered,” He is the President, if he is not hard headed, where will the country go?” to the delight of the crowd.

Coronel explained, “This is beyond the legacy of President Aquino III. This about ending the conflict in Mindanao and this is the product of 17 years of negotiations between the MILF and the government . Do we want to start all over again and negotiate a new agreement? How about the millions that has been spent and the goodwill we started?

ConGen Leo Herrera-Lim acted as the moderator during the peace forum at the PH Consulate Hall.

Fil-Am Representative from Muslims and Christian leaders from Lanao, Davao and Cagayan De Oro lauded the OPAPP for their work. Everybody expressed the desire for peace at the packed hall at the Consulate new office at the Equitable Bank Plaza.

For more information about the EPCC please call (213)241-0995 or email us at [email protected]

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