Notebook

By: Elsie Sy-Niebar.

 

*The ‘Invasion’ of the FILIPINO AMERICAN COUNCIL of GREATER CHICAGO  (FACGC), garnished by complaints against the ‘Chicago police officers’ bias and unfair intervention at the FACGC rally

* ‘Police officers shoving seniors to the sidewalk sows feelings of mistrust and create a deep divide among the people they promise‘To Serve’/M. Aguhar

*FLASH! FACGC president Crisostomo resigned; Board of Trustees flexing muscles towards Revival; Appeal to the FIL-AM Community to join hands…

*Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) 2017 sets Gala Night on Sat., June 17, at Marriott Hotel, says Exec. Chair Lourdes Livas

For the love of our FILIPINO AMERICAN (FIL-Am) Community, I am devoting this column on the “invasion by some Johnny-comelately leaders” at the FILIPINO AMERICAN COUNCIL of CHICAGO (FACC), now called Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago. For over three months now, this columnist has been sprinkling our Via Times readers about the developing dictatorial regime at the FACC under the command of the new Executive Director, Elaine Lehman, approved by current president, Dr. Rufino Crisostomo.

At first sight, Lehman had impressed the BOT (Board of Trustees), starting with Jerry Clarito, who invited her to speak about “how to run a charitable organization, something like that. As some of you already knew, few days after her appointment, Lehman surprised the BOT with her Martial Law style of leadership. Without asking or telling them, she cleaned up the FACC by getting rid of other officers’ stuff, including the office of Atty. Al Bascos, who has been undergoing medical treatment. When his children came to pick up his things, Lehman did not allow them to get inside the Center. Worse part, she fired several BOT’s including the current vice president, Thelma Bascos, one of the most dedicated members of the BOT.

To jump this invasion “happy-nings,” the BOT, last April, made a resolution to outrun Crisostomo; they impeached him and fired Lehman. They changed the lock of the FACC so the people could come and go FREELY, as it has been done for “a million years,” so to speak. But Lehman, last Saturday, April 22, called the police on them. The police refused to listen to the BOT and crowd of people waiting to get inside. According to report, “the police shoved even seniors aside and into the street, and attempted to handcuff Jerry Clarito while he was explaining the situation. The following Monday, April 24, the Center remained locked with writings on the front doors, “NO TRESPASSING. CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.” Order by Elaine Lehman. The door opened very quickly when she and her husband entered. Some folks suspect this couple lives at the Rizal Center???

Last Monday, April 24, I was invited to attend their PRESS RALLY right by the CLOSED front doors of Rizal Center. I could see the teardrops at the bust of our National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. He was crying for what was happening in his Home.

To dig up into the roots of this very pathetic issue, and to get the truth out from the “horses’ mouth,” I emailed questions to some officers and followed up with not just one phone call but several, hence, I was going bananas from our Lady Boss Veronica’s deadline reminders! I also emailed interview-questions to Elaine Lehman, who at one time said, yes, she wants to talk with me. I did not send to Crisostomo; he never responds, anyway. I did not hear from Lehman, either. So, here’s the side of the story from the FACC Board of Trustees, the “Ruling Power” of the Center who were over-powered by Lehman, who was never heard before at our Community Center. What Power!!!

One of my questions for Elaine was: WHO GAVE YOU THE POWER to CLOSE THE FACC DOOR to the FILIPINO AMERICAN COMMUNITY, especially our Seniors who call the FILIPINO AMERICAN COUNCIL OF CHICAGO or THE RIZAL CENTER their “HOME”? No answer. See? What I mean about Little Power?

Speaker, Michael Aguhar, Executive Director, Alliance of Filipinos Immigrants’ Rights of Empowerment (AFIRE): “Thank you for gathering today and being in solidarity with us as we address the events of this weekend. Last Saturday, April 22, AFIRE staff, members, and volunteers were forcibly removed from their office by Elaine Lehman, the executive director of the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago (FACGC), our landlord. On that day, AFIRE was scheduled to have a workshop with our friends at Interfaith Worker Justice on the importance of ‘telling your story.’ This event had been advertised to the public since early April. When telling our story, we open our hearts, we reveal our character, and inspire others to action.”

That fateful Saturday, April 22, became an unfortunate display of the worst parts of our Filipino American community in Chicago. Police officers who were called to help solve the problem between AFIRE and Elaine Lehman, became a nightmare to our group who was seeking justice with the help of the Chicago Police Officers. So we thought.”

“AFIRE which rents a space at the FACGC to serve as our office and as a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants. (Mayor Rahm Emanuel declares Chicago as a Sanctuary.) It is sad to see the police officer shoving senior citizens and be removed from the place. The police actions sow feelings of mistrust and create deep divide among the people they promise ‘To Serve.’ AFIRE condemns any form of violence and strongly believes in working toward peaceful resolutions. Our rights as tenants of the Rizal Center were violated. The respect toward our work with the community was violated. And, most of all, the dignity of our people was violated.”

“The Rizal Center is a historic and symbolic place to remind us of our core values. Like many low-income residents of Chicago, AFIRE has struggled to find a place to call home. Many spaces are too expensive, we simply cannot afford the rent at many locations. We had hoped the Rizal Center would be that home. We believed this building could be a sanctuary for the thousands of undocumented immigrants in our community. Even after being pushed out of our office by the police, we only seek accountability that does not result in additional harm or trauma. We hope that this building can continue to be a sanctuary for people who feel oppressed, for people who seek refuge, and for people who hope to come together in a time of uncertainty.”

“AFIRE stands committed to a process of transformative justice that allows us to address the harm and trauma of this weekend. We ask that the FACGC executive director, Elaine Liehman and president Crisostomo, who locked us out, to come to the table and dialogue with the people they have committed to serve.

“ Gerry Crisostomo, Board of Trustee (BOT): “On the firing of Elaine Lehman: On April 22, 2017, the Board of Trustees (serving from 2014-June 2018) assembled and passed a resolution removing Elaine Lehman as ‘volunteer executive director’.

Basis for removing Elaine Lehman as the volunteer executive director, and article on Trust, Truth and Justice: Part of the resolution includes the appointment of Bobby Luna to change the keys. We explained that the conflict was created by the volunteer executive director playing victim against the demand of the community to make the center a welcoming center.

Yes, I have experienced the heavy handling by the Chicago police officers whom we called to help us. I was pulled out from the crowd, pinned to the wall by a policewoman who threatened to handcuff me.”

“In our press statement, we said that the police has nothing to do with the decision-making as to who is the custodian and administrator of the Rizal Center. It is not the police who should determine who is in-charge of the building. But they did by taking away the key and gave it back to Elaine Lehman, a newcomer to our community. We, the Trustees of our Community Center, were robbed of our rights by the Chicago Police officers.”

May 7, 2017: Press announcement from Mae Lant, former FACGC vice president and current member of the BOT: “Please be informed that Dr. Rufino Crisosotomo submitted to the Board of Trustees, through his lawyer, a signed letter of resignation from being the President/ Chair of FACGC on 05/05/2017. Thank you.” ***

I requested Atty. Joaquin to comment on the resignation of Dr. R. Crisostomo as FACGC president. I’ve attempted to email and call Crisostomo several times but I got no answer.

May 9: Reply from Atty Joaquin: “Elsie, I was engaged to protect the interests of the FACC. I was informed that the legit Board adopted and approved the removal and termination of the services of Elaine Lehman as Executive Director. I am now in the process of preparing the necessary legal action. I cannot reveal to you the details of the legal action since it is not yet filed. Yes, I and my wife were able to convince Dr. Crisostomo to resign as President and Chair of the Board. Since a few months ago, Dr. Crisostomo was already intending to resign but due to health reasons, he was not able to do so. As to who will take his place, the Constitution and By-Laws of the FACC provides that the Vice president (Vice chair) shall take over. If Thelma does not want to take over, I believe since her succession is automatic, she may appoint any qualified person recommended by a select committee and approved by the Board.” ***

Jerry Clarito, BOT: Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees has created an Executive Committee that will be responsible for leading FACGC till its new administration is formed next year as mandated by its Constitution and By-Laws.

The intent of the Executive Committee is to work fast in rebuilding the FACGC with an energized leadership from the broader Filipino American community. The seven committees are:

1) Fundraising Committee (special events and direct donation, grants, etc.);

2) Legal and Governance Committee (compliance with IRS, AGO, and SOS, Directors and officers Empowerment; policies and procedures; recommendations on changes to the constitution and bylaws of the organization)

3) Financial and Administration Committee (accounting, auditing, human resources, rental management; staffing and supervision);

4) Outreach Committee (membership outreach and recruitment);

5. Facility Committee ( building upkeep, repair and renovation, and security)

6. Press Relations Committee: (media relations, press statements, press conference, historical documentation, and events management)

7) Programs Committee (Program design and implementation).” ***

Atty. Al Bascos, former three-term president of the FILIPINO AMERICAN COUNCIL OF CHICAGO. “ Real facts about the FACC: I just heard that Elaine Lehman is telling the Filipino community that FACC has a pending case before the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) of Illinois blaming me that I neglected to file something . This is a big lie. There is no pending case, who is being sued? What is the case number? She is saying this to strike fear to the members of the Board of Trustees and if FACGC lost the case, the AGO is going to go after the assets of the individual Trustees.

She is grossly ignorant of the Illinois Charitable Act. I am familiar with the provisions of the Act ever since I became FACC president in 1986. The Act mandates that all charitable organizations or associations must REGISTER with the AGO, and to FILE A REPORT annually. This report will include the amount of donations and the names of the donors, if solicitation is from the general public; BUT if solicitation is from the membership (it is not public) of ORGANIZATION there is no reporting requirement.

Why pick on me? She is also passing out baseless information that I obtained a loan of $100,000 on the Rizal Center. This is a big lie. I never obtained any loan during my term; neither did Sapnu, Poblete or Abella or Crisostomo. She is grossly fabricating.” ***

BRIEF SUMMARY of the PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE WEEK COMMITTEE 2017 ACTIVITIES IN JUNE, as reported by a very resourceful PIWC Secretary Meg Advento: May 27, Essay Writing Contest/ June 3, Bowling/ June 11, Picnic at Labaugh Woods/ June 12, Flag Raising & Cultural Show, Daley Plaza, Downtown Chicago/ June 15, Senior Citizens’ Day at Chicago Levy Center/ June 17, Gala Night at the Marriott O’Hare Grand ballroom, 8535 West Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL 60631, Free Parking/ July 04, Parade in Morton Grove & Skokie, IL. July 9, Appreciation & Recognition Night at the Avalon Banquets, Elk Grove Village, IL. Lourdes Livas, Executive chair.

SPRING is here. Enjoy our lovely Earth coming to Life again. Give Thanks to our God.#

Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn received a very warm welcome from the people who lined up for over two hours to pose with him, at his reception during the unveiling of his portrait, last May 9 in Chicago. The original portrait was unveiled on May 8 at the Springfield State office to hang on the Wall of Governors. Above photo shows Gov Quinn with VT columnist Elsie Sy-Niebar giving him a Toast! Photo by Christopher Dilts

(1) FACC Board of Trustee, Jerry Clarito, telling the audience how the Chicago police officer almost handcuffed him during their rally in front of the FACC, April 22 rally, while he was explaining the resolution that the BOT which gave them the right to get the FACC keys back from Elaine Lehman. She did, but the police officer sided with Lehman and snatched back the keys from BOT Bobby Luna and gave it back to Lehman, “showing outright wrong favoritism:, Jerry underscored. (ESN photo); (2) Michael Aguhar, a young attorney and Executive Director of ALLIANCE of FILIPINOS for IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS for EMPOWERMENT (AFIRE) speaks to a reporter how the illegal padlocking of the FACC affected their services and needy clients, particularly on immigration matters. (ESN photo); (3) These signs saying “CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE” hung at the front doors of the FILIPINO AMERICA COMMUNITY RIZAL CENTER by order of executive director Elaine Lehman, appointed by FACC president Juanito Crisostomo, MD. (ESN photo)

FACC BOT Bobby Luna, who is in-charged of the building, tells the crowd how the police officer grabbed the keys from him and gave it back to Elaine Lehman, the new executive director, a total stranger to the Fil-Am, community center. (ESN photo); (2) FACC BOT and past President, Mae Lant, re-tracing the history of the Filipino American Council of Chicago, stressing out that the closure of the doors under the Crisostomo leadership is an insult to the FILIPINO AMERICAN COMMUNITY in Chicago. (ESN photo); (3) Chicago police car with the cop inside, on-guard at the FACC BOT press conference in front of the closed-door FACC. (ESN photo).

(1) Gale Garza, a human rights and animal activist, deplored the abusive and unfair treatment of the Chicago police at last week’s rally by the Board of Trustees of the FILIPINO AMERICAN COUNCIL of Greater Chicago. Said she wants to be part of their struggles for equal rights. (ESN photo); (2) An undentified young man human rights activists from the Black American community spoke his heart out standing up against racism and respect for the rights of ethnic communities which make America Great! (ESN photo