Monday, October 25, 2010

Filipino Candidate in San Diego Shines But Is Pushed Down by Her Adversary

PHILIPPINE VILLAGE VOICE - Redefining Community News

Currents & Breaking News
Commentary
Volume 4, Issue No. 37
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /


. . . . . A community service of Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . . .


The News UpFront: (TOP STORY) as of Monday, October 25, 2010
~ The only Filipino candidate for a council seat in San Diego's National City stands a good chance of winning, a likely possibility that would tilt the balance in that suburban enclave where Filipinos comprise 20 percent of the population. As the election next week nears, her long-time adversary mounts a campaign to discredit her, even going to the extent of casting her meaningless personal support for two non-Filipino candidates. More than the election, it's the feud that's become an interesting sidelight. "It's the typical Filipino crab mentality at its worst," says one voter.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Ditas Yamane accompanies former President Fidel V. Ramos to a community forum during his visit to San Diego early this month. (Contributed photo).

EDNA CONCEPCION, THE INSURANCE AGENT, VERSUS DITAS YAMANE, THE CANDIDATE
Lone Filipino Candidate for National City Council
Shines But Business Adversary Pushes Her Down


By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Member, Asian American Journalists Association


TORONTO - A self-proclaimed Filipino community leader in San Diego rants and raves about her meaningless endorsement of two non-Filipino candidates in National City, and rages as well against the only Filipino who is trying hard to tip the political balance in that suburb in favor of Filipinos who comprise 20 percent of the population.

In some cultures, the act of insurance agent Edna Concepcion is tantamount to betrayal, a treachery no less. Waging a campaign for or against a candidate does seem a proper thing to do. But to engage in a vociferous "crusade of hatred" to put down the candidate with an almost-certain chance of winning is treasonous.

Concepcion, citing what she calls her "patriotic task", faults the candidate's ethnicity, a Filipino, on the one hand, and finds the racial origins of her opponents, Hispanic, reason to spite her. And to top it off, she feigns being stirred by another Filipino who had disgraced the race by his greed.

Concepcion's unwarranted attacks are not based on issues; they are anchored on her personal animosity towards Ditas Yamane, currently the lone Filipino running for a council seat in the City of National City. The two have had their spat from years back. Professional jealousy, personal envy, a mutual dislike -- there's a lot more than they would admit.

Yamane's shining moment, guaranteed by wide voters support within and outside the Filipino community, is a week away. That support is further strengthened by the unsolicited endorsements of the San Diego Union-Tribune and La Prensa, the latter newspaper obviously veered away from vouching for their Hispanic compatriots.

There must be something in Yamane that the mean little eyes of Concepcion could not see but which the Union-Tribune and La Prensa readily sense and believe would be useful in governing National City.

In the meantime, Concepcion makes a glum realization of that and endeavors hard to stop it by all means foul that her insurance commissions can buy. One example is her email blast entitled "Remember the Disbarred Fred Soto? Why I Endorse Two Non-Filipino Americans in the National City Council Seats".
Edna Concepcion

From my experience since knowing her in 2003 when she offered me life insurance protection for free, yes for free!, and I firmly refused, knowing it's an attempt to corrupt me, Concepcion is capable of weaving tall tales and fashioning lies to suit her purpose.

Yet here, she speaks about, in her own words: "a person with integrity and righteousness to know the basic tenets of honesty and LIVE BY it." By her own measure, Concepcion is a failure. She won't even pass the smell test, if there's one.

In fact, she lied to Superior Court Judge Laura J. Birkmeyer (in Chula Vista, California) in the hope that she could get a restraining order to stop me from writing about her ill-conceived but much-publicized illusion grandeur, the Philippine American Business Improvement Districts (PhilAm BID), which got some money from Microsoft Corp. 

(Details are available at: 1. http://www.mabuhayradio.com/san-diego-happenings/superior-court-rejects-edna-consing-concepcions-plea-for-a-restraining-order-vs-marquez; and 2. http://timecircumstance.blogspot.com/2010/08/edna-concepcions-dog-and-pony-show.html).

Concepcion cites the case of Fred Soto and conveniently forgets that I was THE journalist who exposed him in my Diario Veritas newspaper after months of laborious research and investigation.

My expose' is one accomplishment that I am proud of. I honestly believe I save many potential victims from being ripped and also the City of National City from being further scandalized.

The bad example of Fred Soto is certainly not worth emulating . . . unless he's had some impact on people like Edna Concepcion who continue to lie and lie about their many nefarious activities.

That said, unless Concepcion comes clean, first with her Microsoft deal, second with her self-serving awards to her friends, among them former assemblywoman Shirley Horton; third with her botched claim of being stalked, fourth with the trade offs in her endorsements, etcetera, etc., then she's no more than a lying propagandist out to gyp the entire community.

Concepcion should run for office the way Ditas Yamane does now. If Concepcion's fantastic claims of being what she is is true and honest and could stand public scrutiny, then the community would be so greatly pleased to find her an exemplary role model.

But knowing her, it's not going to come. Her own integrity is doubtful. She'd rather be surrounded by unquestioning followers and petty supporters whose loyalty to her is assured by her generous praises and constant pats in the back.

In the finaly analysis, it is Yamane who deserves respect; she for standing up to Concepcion's scurrilous rants and not succumbing to her leecherous ways.

I have the impulse to think that Concepcion is taking on Yamane for want of a superior fight. However, Yamane is not giving it to her. That's a class act.

I suggest Concepcion should refocus her dwindling vision to her still-born baby, the PhilAm BID. It could make her what she always wanted to be.

(This Currents & Breaking News may be posted online, broadcast or reprinted upon request by interested parties. Permission by the author and the editor must be obtained before any re-posting online or re-publication in print or re-broadcast. Copyright by Romeo P. Marquez, Editor, Philippine Village Voice, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Volume 4, Issue no. 37, October 25, 2010. Email at: PhilVoiceNews@aol.com  or CurrentsBreakingNews@gmail.com ).

For other stories, please visit:
1. http://currentsbreakingnews.blogspot.com/  
2. http://torontonewsroom.blogspot.com/  
3. http://timecircumstance.blogspot.com/  
4. http://travelsthemes.blogspot.com/  
5. http://gotchajournalist.blogspot.com/  .

For newsvideos, please click the link:
1. Trees of Gold, Red and Orange - My First Autumn in Toronto:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNOmsAZ8xW4&playnext=1&videos=Z4sl5t7IhZk&feature=mfu_in_order
2. The Blooming Wildflowers of Autumn in Toronto:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5Oj2n_L1is&playnext=1&videos=PixfkFrNkd0&feature=mfu_in_order
3. Cucina Manila - A Taste of Filipino Food in Toronto:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLbDA6rkpQw&playnext=1&videos=56RoSgO_O4Q&feature=mfu_in_order
4. A Visit to Ottawa, Canada's Capital, and Notre-Dame Cathedral:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKOrpSBeAmw&playnext=1&videos=smiQ71GXQ1c&feature=mfu_in_order
5. Top Toronto Cop Assures Filipinos on Arrest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJd0tyW16rM&playnext=1&videos=GruA8S99fRM&feature=mfu_in_order
6. Mass Celebrating the Feast Day of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Toronto:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nVg6yaC2dw&playnext=1&videos=RikOTyyMUeA&feature=mfu_in_order
7. Manila's Rizal Monument in Toronto's 'Quilt of Tiles': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bADykG7Ijc&feature=channel  
8. Images of the Philippines on Apparels and Accessories in Toronto at: http://vimeo.com/15160450  
9. Bicolanos in Toronto Celebrate Feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia with Mass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fBa88FUXfk&feature=channel  
10. Filipino Protesters Hold Rally in Toronto Against Martial Law in RP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc6QOXR4oqk&feature=channel  
11. Quiapo! Quiapo! - The Famous Filipino Restaurant in Toronto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y1PnpjCyNk&feature=channel  
12. Restless in New York -- A Writer's Journey: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g37TAHkSgSE&feature=channel  
13. Share Your Blessings, Filipino Organization Urges Toronto Community: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by0eGuHLimU&feature=channel  
14. Tanza's Karakol in Toronto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7is306RJtTE&feature=channel  
15. Beauties & Queens of Toronto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?  
16. Katrina Halili and the Signing Stars in Toronto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnnQ_nV9CT0&feature=channel 

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Former California Councilman Fined for Negligence in Campaign Reporting

Former National City Councilman Fideles Ungab
















PHILIPPINE VILLAGE VOICE - Redefining Community News
Currents & Breaking News
Volume 4, Issue No. 36
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /
. . . . . A community service of Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The News UpFront: (TOP STORY) as of Thursday, October 14, 2010
~ A former councilman of the City of National City, California was cited and fined by the California Fair Political Practices Commission for neglecting to file election campaign statement. The commission slapped a $2,000 fine on Fideles Ungab, his campaign committee and his treasurer, Gil Anthony Ungab, for their failure to report after the November 2008 election which Ungab lost.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"HIS ACTIONS APPEAR TO BE NEGLIGENT, NOT INTENTIONAL"
California Commission Slaps Fine on Former Filipino Councilman of National City



By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Member, Asian American Journalists Association


TORONTO - A former member of the City of National City (California) Council has been fined by the California Fair Political Practices Commission for not filing periodic reports about his election campaign, the commission announced on Thursday (Oct. 14, 2010).

In a statement to the Philippine Village Voice, the Sacramento-based commission said the action of former Councilman Fideles Ungab appeared "to be negligent, not intentional" in not filing his semi-annual campaign statement during his run for office two years ago.

The reporting period covered the months from Oct. 19, 2008 to December 31, 2008. In the November 2008 election, Ungab sought the same office in National City for which he had been previously elected as councilman, a fact that made Filipinos proud. Filipinos comprised 20 percent of National City's estimated 60,000-population.

The five-member commission said Ungab, his committee (The Committee to Elect Fideles Ungab) and its treasurer, Gil Anthony Ungab, were jointly fined $2,000. The amount was just 20 percent of the maximum administrative penalty of $10,000.

Ungab's lack of prior history of violating the law, the "relatively small" amount involved in the reporting and his apparent negligence were cited by the commission as mitigating factors in lowering the fine.


The bipartisan commission enforces California's Political Reform Act which governs disclosure of political campaign contributions and spending by candidates and ballot measure committees. It also sets ethics rules for state and local government officials that impose strict limits on decisions or votes that affect the official's financial interests.

Ungab was one of four individuals and organizations cited and fined by the commission for campaign reporting violations.

(This Currents & Breaking News may be posted online, broadcast or reprinted upon request by interested parties. Permission by the author and the editor must be obtained before any re-posting online or re-publication in print or re-broadcast. Copyright by Romeo P. Marquez, Editor, Philippine Village Voice, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Volume 4, Issue no. 36, October 14, 2010. Email at: PhilVoiceNews@aol.com  or CurrentsBreakingNews@gmail.com ).


For other stories, please visit:
1. http://currentsbreakingnews.blogspot.com/  
2. http://torontonewsroom.blogspot.com/
3. http://timecircumstance.blogspot.com/
4. http://travelsthemes.blogspot.com/  
5. http://gotchajournalist.blogspot.com/  .


For newsvideos, please click the link:
1. Trees of Gold, Red and Orange - My First Autumn in Toronto:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNOmsAZ8xW4&playnext=1&videos=Z4sl5t7IhZk&feature=mfu_in_order
2. The Blooming Wildflowers of Autumn in Toronto:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5Oj2n_L1is&playnext=1&videos=PixfkFrNkd0&feature=mfu_in_order
3. Cucina Manila - A Taste of Filipino Food in Toronto:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLbDA6rkpQw&playnext=1&videos=56RoSgO_O4Q&feature=mfu_in_order
4. A Visit to Ottawa, Canada's Capital, and Notre-Dame Cathedral:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKOrpSBeAmw&playnext=1&videos=smiQ71GXQ1c&feature=mfu_in_order
5. Top Toronto Cop Assures Filipinos on Arrest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJd0tyW16rM&playnext=1&videos=GruA8S99fRM&feature=mfu_in_order
6. Mass Celebrating the Feast Day of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Toronto:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nVg6yaC2dw&playnext=1&videos=RikOTyyMUeA&feature=mfu_in_order
7. Manila's Rizal Monument in Toronto's 'Quilt of Tiles': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bADykG7Ijc&feature=channel
8. Images of the Philippines on Apparels and Accessories in Toronto at: http://vimeo.com/15160450
9. Bicolanos in Toronto Celebrate Feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia with Mass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fBa88FUXfk&feature=channel
10. Filipino Protesters Hold Rally in Toronto Against Martial Law in RP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc6QOXR4oqk&feature=channel
11. Quiapo! Quiapo! - The Famous Filipino Restaurant in Toronto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y1PnpjCyNk&feature=channel
12. Restless in New York -- A Writer's Journey: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g37TAHkSgSE&feature=channel
13. Share Your Blessings, Filipino Organization Urges Toronto Community: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by0eGuHLimU&feature=channel
14. Tanza's Karakol in Toronto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7is306RJtTE&feature=channel
15. Beauties & Queens of Toronto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
16. Katrina Halili and the Signing Stars in Toronto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnnQ_nV9CT0&feature=channel