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Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Filipino Voters in Toronto Suburb Coalesce to Defeat 'Abusive' MP
PHILIPPINE VILLAGE VOICE/The Filipino Web Channel - Redefining Community News
Currents & Breaking News
Volume 5, Issue No. 10
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /
. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail.com) and the 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 Friday, April 15, 2011
~ A small group of Filipino advocates has come out openly against a sitting member of parliament, declaring its intent to sweep her out of office come May 2nd election. This is perhaps a first in Toronto that Filipinos are flexing what little political muscles they have to advocate and protect issues and concerns affecting them. The MP they practically declared persona non grata to the Filippino community is Ruby Dhalla, a chiropractic doctor whom Filipino caregivers alleged "abused" and "exploited" them during their employ with her and her family.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AS THE MAY 2ND ELECTION HEATS UP
Filipinos Form Coalition Against 'Abusive' MP
By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Member, Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC)
TORONTO - In a suburban enclave northwest of Canada's largest city, Filipinos are banding together to unseat a perceived "abusive" member of parliament.
With no more than 1,500 out of a voting population of 84,239, these Filipino voters could spell the difference between victory and defeat for incumbent Member of Parliament Ruby Dhalla, a Liberal, and challenger Parm Gill, a Conservative.
Dhalla, a chiropractic doctor, represents the riding (district) of Brampton-Springdale in the House of Commons since 2004, a year after it was carved out of six adjoining neighbourhoods. The dominant minorities are of South Asian descent.
Gill, a businessman, courts the Filipino votes based largely on the disaffection with Dhalla, who has been accused by three Filipino caregivers of abuse. Dhalla had the caregivers under her employ, taking care of her mother.
Out of its listed population of 131,797 as of 2001, the riding has 84,239 electors. In the 2008 election, there was a 54.2 percent turnout, or 45,689. Of that number, Dhalla received 18,577 (41 percent). Her opponent Gill got 17,804 (39.3 percent) for a difference of 773 votes.
That figure -- 773 -- is quite important in that Filipinos' 1,500 could be the swing vote. They could turn the tables for Gill, assuming they would all vote.
"The Brampton-Springdale riding is significant to the Filipino-Canadian community because of the on-going allegations of abuse towards Filipino caregivers by the family of the incumbent, Liberal Member of Parliament Dr. Ruby Dhalla," said Julius A. Tiangson, one of the active leaders of Baguhin Coalition.
The coalition is an issues-oriented advocacy of Filipino community leaders working to insure that Filipino concerns are best represented. It is endorsing Gill who was born in Malaysia and raise in Canada.
It is perhaps the first all-Filipino organization intent on removing a sitting MP by voting her out on May 2nd elections.
"This coalition will continue to work together to insure the defeat of Dr. Dhalla," explains Tiangson in an interview on Wednesday (April 13, 2011) in an event he organized in Brampton where Immigration Minister Jason Kenney was the main guest.
According to Tiangson, the cases brought against Dhalla have rendered her ineffective. "The issues surrounding the allegations of abuse of Filipino Live-in Caregivers by the family of MP Ruby Dhalla compromise her ability to represent the Filipino community," he states.
Just how much Filipino caregivers detest Dhalla was echoed by Terry Olayta, the outspoken director of Caregivers Resource Center in Toronto. (For a video of Olayta's rant, please click the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPZSRlkM5o8&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL ).
"She is an elected woman to the highest public office that has destroyed the morale, the self-esteem of the caregivers and we want her out," she declares.
"I'm going to knock door to door until my knuckles hurt because I want to tell them: Ruby Dhalla, it's time to go. She has to go!" Olayta stresses.
Kenney, Gill and mostly Conservative supporters applauded her loudly. The huge presence of Filipinos seems to indicate an inclination to carry Gill, or any candidate for that matter, so long as it would result in kicking Dhalla out.
Dhalla's fallout began with the so-called "Nannygate" - an expose by the Toronto Star that has unraveled the hiring by the Dhalla household of three Filipino nannies who complained in 2009 of being exploited. They claimed working long hours without overtime pay and did non-nanny chores.
One of the damning complaints was made by caregiver Richelyn Tongson, 39, who had claimed that Dhalla kept her passport and other personal documents for months and promised to sponsor her. The MP has denied the allegations.
"It's very unfortunate, what took place but I'm looking forward to working with the Filipino community to address as many issues and concerns as there may be," said Gill, Dhalla's challenger.
Asked to comment, he states: "Honestly, when I saw that story the first time it broke, it hit me. It broke my heart because specially any time anyone takes advantage of vulnerable people who've come here just like all of us to make a life for themselves and certain people take advantage of them . . . it's very unfortunate".
Dhalla or her office spokeswoman named Candice have not responded to queries at least six hours after this story was being written. Candice has promised to get back with answers but none has been received so far.
(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 5, Issue no. 10, April 15, 2011. Email at: TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail.com , PhilVoiceNews@aol.com or CurrentsBreakingNews@gmail.com ).
My news channels can be viewed by clicking the links:
The Filipino Web Channel at YouTube:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT74cbxq6ak&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2FLYca354w&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
At Vimeo:
1. http://vimeo.com/16962555
2. http://vimeo.com/user4144767
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/ .
Currents & Breaking News
Volume 5, Issue No. 10
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /
. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail.com) and the 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 Friday, April 15, 2011
~ A small group of Filipino advocates has come out openly against a sitting member of parliament, declaring its intent to sweep her out of office come May 2nd election. This is perhaps a first in Toronto that Filipinos are flexing what little political muscles they have to advocate and protect issues and concerns affecting them. The MP they practically declared persona non grata to the Filippino community is Ruby Dhalla, a chiropractic doctor whom Filipino caregivers alleged "abused" and "exploited" them during their employ with her and her family.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 |
| Coalition head Julius A. Tiangson |
AS THE MAY 2ND ELECTION HEATS UP
Filipinos Form Coalition Against 'Abusive' MP
By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Member, Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC)
TORONTO - In a suburban enclave northwest of Canada's largest city, Filipinos are banding together to unseat a perceived "abusive" member of parliament.
With no more than 1,500 out of a voting population of 84,239, these Filipino voters could spell the difference between victory and defeat for incumbent Member of Parliament Ruby Dhalla, a Liberal, and challenger Parm Gill, a Conservative.
Dhalla, a chiropractic doctor, represents the riding (district) of Brampton-Springdale in the House of Commons since 2004, a year after it was carved out of six adjoining neighbourhoods. The dominant minorities are of South Asian descent.
 |
| Candidate Parm Gill (second from right) with Filipino supporters. |
Out of its listed population of 131,797 as of 2001, the riding has 84,239 electors. In the 2008 election, there was a 54.2 percent turnout, or 45,689. Of that number, Dhalla received 18,577 (41 percent). Her opponent Gill got 17,804 (39.3 percent) for a difference of 773 votes.
That figure -- 773 -- is quite important in that Filipinos' 1,500 could be the swing vote. They could turn the tables for Gill, assuming they would all vote.
"The Brampton-Springdale riding is significant to the Filipino-Canadian community because of the on-going allegations of abuse towards Filipino caregivers by the family of the incumbent, Liberal Member of Parliament Dr. Ruby Dhalla," said Julius A. Tiangson, one of the active leaders of Baguhin Coalition.
The coalition is an issues-oriented advocacy of Filipino community leaders working to insure that Filipino concerns are best represented. It is endorsing Gill who was born in Malaysia and raise in Canada.
It is perhaps the first all-Filipino organization intent on removing a sitting MP by voting her out on May 2nd elections.
"This coalition will continue to work together to insure the defeat of Dr. Dhalla," explains Tiangson in an interview on Wednesday (April 13, 2011) in an event he organized in Brampton where Immigration Minister Jason Kenney was the main guest.
According to Tiangson, the cases brought against Dhalla have rendered her ineffective. "The issues surrounding the allegations of abuse of Filipino Live-in Caregivers by the family of MP Ruby Dhalla compromise her ability to represent the Filipino community," he states.
Just how much Filipino caregivers detest Dhalla was echoed by Terry Olayta, the outspoken director of Caregivers Resource Center in Toronto. (For a video of Olayta's rant, please click the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPZSRlkM5o8&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL ).
"She is an elected woman to the highest public office that has destroyed the morale, the self-esteem of the caregivers and we want her out," she declares.
"I'm going to knock door to door until my knuckles hurt because I want to tell them: Ruby Dhalla, it's time to go. She has to go!" Olayta stresses.
Kenney, Gill and mostly Conservative supporters applauded her loudly. The huge presence of Filipinos seems to indicate an inclination to carry Gill, or any candidate for that matter, so long as it would result in kicking Dhalla out.
 |
| The complaint against Dhalla is splashed on the front page of this Filipino newspaper. |
One of the damning complaints was made by caregiver Richelyn Tongson, 39, who had claimed that Dhalla kept her passport and other personal documents for months and promised to sponsor her. The MP has denied the allegations.
"It's very unfortunate, what took place but I'm looking forward to working with the Filipino community to address as many issues and concerns as there may be," said Gill, Dhalla's challenger.
Asked to comment, he states: "Honestly, when I saw that story the first time it broke, it hit me. It broke my heart because specially any time anyone takes advantage of vulnerable people who've come here just like all of us to make a life for themselves and certain people take advantage of them . . . it's very unfortunate".
Dhalla or her office spokeswoman named Candice have not responded to queries at least six hours after this story was being written. Candice has promised to get back with answers but none has been received so far.
(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 5, Issue no. 10, April 15, 2011. Email at: TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail.com , PhilVoiceNews@aol.com or CurrentsBreakingNews@gmail.com ).
My news channels can be viewed by clicking the links:
The Filipino Web Channel at YouTube:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT74cbxq6ak&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2FLYca354w&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
At Vimeo:
1. http://vimeo.com/16962555
2. http://vimeo.com/user4144767
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/ .
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Arlie Ricasa Slapped with $2,000-Fine for Campaign Violation
PHILIPPINE VILLAGE VOICE/The Filipino Web Channel - Redefining Community News
Currents & Breaking News
Volume 5, Issue No. 9
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /
. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail.com) and the 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, April 11, 2011
~ A prominent Filipino American school board official and her campaign treasurer were cited and fined by the California Fair Political Practices Commission for failure to report a loan of $18,000. Last year, school board member Arlie Ricasa was named by Assembly Member Marty Block as "woman of the year" for his assembly district, praising her as a "role model" for the youth.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FOR CAMPAIGN REPORTING VIOLATION
California Fines Fil-Am School Board Member
By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Member, Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC)
TORONTO - A local school board official who claims to be the "highest-ranking Filipino American elected in San Diego" has been fined by the California Fair Political Practices Commission for what it said was "campaign reporting violations."
The commission informed the Philippine Village Voice and its associated online news outlets that Arlie Ricasa was slapped with a $2,000 fine for failure to report money loaned to her campaign for the California State Assembly in 2008.
Ricasa's committee treasurer, Kinde Durkee, was also cited and fined for the same violation.
Ricasa and Durkee "failed to disclose an $18,000 loan received from Durkee & Associates, LLC on the semi-annual campaign statement filed for the reporting period May 18, 2008 through June 30, 2008," according to a press statement made available late Monday (April 11, 2011) afternoon.
Ricasa is currently president of the board of trustees of the Sweetwater Union High School District, the second largest secondary school district in the United States.
In March last year, she was honored by Assembly member Marty Block as his "woman of the year" for his assembly district. The award is routinely dispensed by politicians as a way of recognizing individuals for whatever reason.
“Arlie is a remarkable college administrator, public servant, community volunteer, mother and wife who is a role model for youth and residents of our district,” Block then said in his website.
Ricasa, whose parents hail from Cavite province, has been repeatedly defeated in elections for the California State Assembly.
In 2008, Arlie Ricasa was a candidate for California State Assembly, 78th District. "Arlie Ricasa 2008" was her candidate-controlled committee and Kinde Durkee was the committee’s treasurer.
(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 5, Issue no. 9, April 11, 2011. Email at: TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail.com, PhilVoiceNews@aol.com or CurrentsBreakingNews@gmail.com ).
My news channels can be viewed by clicking the links:
The Filipino Web Channel at YouTube:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT74cbxq6ak&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2FLYca354w&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
At Vimeo:
1. http://vimeo.com/16962555
2. http://vimeo.com/user4144767
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/ .
Currents & Breaking News
Volume 5, Issue No. 9
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /
. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail.com) and the 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, April 11, 2011
~ A prominent Filipino American school board official and her campaign treasurer were cited and fined by the California Fair Political Practices Commission for failure to report a loan of $18,000. Last year, school board member Arlie Ricasa was named by Assembly Member Marty Block as "woman of the year" for his assembly district, praising her as a "role model" for the youth.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FOR CAMPAIGN REPORTING VIOLATION
California Fines Fil-Am School Board Member
By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Member, Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC)
TORONTO - A local school board official who claims to be the "highest-ranking Filipino American elected in San Diego" has been fined by the California Fair Political Practices Commission for what it said was "campaign reporting violations."
 |
| ARLIE RICASA |
The commission informed the Philippine Village Voice and its associated online news outlets that Arlie Ricasa was slapped with a $2,000 fine for failure to report money loaned to her campaign for the California State Assembly in 2008.
Ricasa's committee treasurer, Kinde Durkee, was also cited and fined for the same violation.
Ricasa and Durkee "failed to disclose an $18,000 loan received from Durkee & Associates, LLC on the semi-annual campaign statement filed for the reporting period May 18, 2008 through June 30, 2008," according to a press statement made available late Monday (April 11, 2011) afternoon.
Ricasa is currently president of the board of trustees of the Sweetwater Union High School District, the second largest secondary school district in the United States.
In March last year, she was honored by Assembly member Marty Block as his "woman of the year" for his assembly district. The award is routinely dispensed by politicians as a way of recognizing individuals for whatever reason.
“Arlie is a remarkable college administrator, public servant, community volunteer, mother and wife who is a role model for youth and residents of our district,” Block then said in his website.
Ricasa, whose parents hail from Cavite province, has been repeatedly defeated in elections for the California State Assembly.
In 2008, Arlie Ricasa was a candidate for California State Assembly, 78th District. "Arlie Ricasa 2008" was her candidate-controlled committee and Kinde Durkee was the committee’s treasurer.
(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 5, Issue no. 9, April 11, 2011. Email at: TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail.com, PhilVoiceNews@aol.com or CurrentsBreakingNews@gmail.com ).
My news channels can be viewed by clicking the links:
The Filipino Web Channel at YouTube:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT74cbxq6ak&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2FLYca354w&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
At Vimeo:
1. http://vimeo.com/16962555
2. http://vimeo.com/user4144767
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/ .
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