Arman David, Rely Manacay, Margie Wisotsky | Photos via Facebook
NEW YORK – With all the events it had to hold done with, the last of which was the Maria Clara Coronation Gala held in August, the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) embarks on preparing for the elections of a president and seven board directors on October 7, 2023, at the Pearl Studios, Room 301, 500 8th Avenue, in Manhattan
Mariano “Nongsky” Aquino, Comelec chair, said the committee approved the candidacies of three individuals for president and 13 aspirants for directors, which he reported to the Board at its meeting on Saturday, September 23. He said their eligibility to run for office had been vetted after the membership committee, chaired by Ner Martinez, confirmed the membership of the organizations that the candidates represented. Applications for potential candidates had to be postmarked by September 6 deadline. Member organizations were required to renew their membership postmarked by September 15.
The last time a contested election happened was in 2017 between Ner Martinez and Olivia David, which resulted in a losing candidate for a director filing a lawsuit against PIDCI that eventually failed.
The candidates for president include outgoing board director Arman David, former president Rely Manacay, and former president Margie Wisotsky. As for candidates for board director, they are Jocelyn Andes, Marygene Espinosa, Bong Echavez, Sol Kapunan, Teodora Koltsides, Linda Limcaco, Czarmel Lopez, Maria “Moppet” Nucum, Ave Pimo, Marissa Serrano, Aida Tagle, Paul Versoza, and Rico Viray.
Lopez and Tagle are running for re-election to their second term. Initially, Rosita Mejia-Richman was listed as a candidate for director on a presidential candidate list but reportedly withdrew from the race. Nora Galleros, PIDCI president, appointed members of the Comelec: Jovel Golingan, Jay Layug, and Rose Javier.
The presidential candidates gave their views on why they wanted to be president and if they would propose organizational and policy changes if elected.
On having three candidates
Arman David of Union, New Jersey, welcomed multiple candidates for president and board directors. “It will give the member organizations of our community the power to choose.” On the other hand, Manacay said that “it means the organization is healthy because many people are interested in running it.” Wisotsky said this is “a positive” development. “It shows the willingness of our members to take the initiative in service of PIDCI,” she said. “It should be a welcome situation for everyone as we respect each one’s choice,” and “are ready to support the one who comes out elected.” She added she would encourage everyone to work in unity, having one mind and one heart motivated by love and harmony at the service of PIDCI’s ideals for the benefit of the community.
Goals
Having been a member of the board for three years, first as a secretary in 2022 and this year as vice president, David of Union, New Jersey, said it had given him insight into all the hard work that the Board has done these past few years in regaining the community’s trust and fulfilling PIDCI’s mission to deliver the annual Philippine Independence celebration with complete transparency. “If elected, my goal is to continue what we have started and serve with the utmost commitment and passion to make us all proud to be Filipinos.”
Manacay of Astoria, New York, was PIDCI president when the pandemic happened, and the city was in lockdown. Despite this, he had a virtual parade streamed online across the U.S. “I have been running the parade for many years. So, I want to experience it being the president.” If elected, my goal is to implement absolute transparency by starting to rehash the membership.”
Wisotsky of Woodside, New York said she is convinced that “together with her team and the collaboration of everyone, she can “lead to a wonderful opportunity to have a successful team at PIDCI in service to the Fil-Am community and the benefit of everyone, especially the beneficiaries of our program.” Although she does not intend to make organizational changes but to “promulgate what we directly have,” she said she is “open to any changes if the circumstance requires them.”
Candidates for board directors
The Comelec did not require the presidential candidates to have a slate of directors to run with them. According to Aquino, he only received individual certificates of candidacy and was unaware of common candidates for directors fielded by any party. But David and Wisotsky formed their slate. Manacay said he has his own but was unwilling to identify his supporters to protect them from being compromised on their loyalty in case he is not elected.
David’s team consists of Joycelyn Andes, Maria “Moppet” Villasin-Nucum, Aida Tagle, Czarmel Lopez, Sol Kapunan, and Teodora Koltsidis (a former director).
Wisotsky’s potential board directors comprise Gina Espinosa, Linda Limcaco (a former director), Ave Pimo, Rosita Mejia Richman, Marissa Serrano, Paul Versoza, and Rico Viray.
Roster of eligible member organizations to vote
As of press time, a list of eligible member organizations to vote has not been issued yet by PIDCI [Ed. Note: The list has been released.]. Galleros said in a phone call on Saturday, September 23, that 96-member organizations have renewed their membership and are eligible to vote this year except for the new ones. She said the list would be posted on PIDCI’s website and Facebook page on Monday, September 25, or the following day. Candidates may also request a copy of the list from the secretary, Czar Lopez. Ner Martinez, membership committee chair, has not confirmed the names of the new member organizations.
When asked if member organizations remitted their dues simultaneously with the renewal form, he said he received the form only postmarked by September 15, which raises the question of when these member organizations are considered members in good standing. Is it when their dues are paid or on receipt of their membership renewal form to vote on elections? According to PIDCI bylaws, payment of dues should be made by the first week of September. When and how do candidates know these organizations have paid their dues is a question that had been asked.
According to David and Manacay, there were 111 eligible member organizations to vote last year at a non-contested election. However, based on records obtained by the Philippine Daily Mirror, only 48 cast their votes, which is less than 50 percent. With 92 eligible member organizations in a contested election, the turnout of voters may be higher.
All candidates are waiting for the list of member organizations released by PIDCI before they can campaign, giving them a very short time until elections on October 7. The Comelec declared them official candidates on Monday, September 25. Wisotsky said her campaign theme is “United in Loving Service,” and David’s is “Keep Progress Moving Forward.”
Members of the Comelec
Regarding members of the Comelec, there was confusion about who the actual members were. When asked on Friday, September 23, Aquino did not name his members for information that should be available beforehand for transparency. Galleros named directors Jovel Golingan, Jay Layug, and herself as ex-officio; however, she was unsure if Layug was actively engaged in the process. Later, in a phone call, she corrected it and named Golingan, Layug, and Rose Javier. David said Golingan, Layug, Manny Quintal, PIDCI’s legal counsel, and Galleros (ex-officio). Wisotsky and Manacay do not know who the members are besides Aquino.
Since October 7 is a business meeting of the corporation and elections, each member organization expects to receive a financial report on that day. “For transparency, we’d like to have this report provided to us in written report, not merely on the oral report during the meeting,” said a member organization representative.
Unresolved concerns
In 2019, to resolve ongoing concerns about the management of PIDCI, PIDCI met with then-consul general Claro Cristobal and his staff to address transparency issues on Finance, Comelec, and Membership committees, which PIDCI agreed to look into and implement changes if needed.
Some quarters in the community are asking what improvements have been made in these areas of concern. “Where is progress? Transparency is about ensuring financial competency and overall governance,” said a community advocate for a better PIDCI.
This is an updated story to correct the name of a member of the Comelec; Rose Javier instead of Rosita Mejia Richman.
