Dear Jimmy,
You must have forgotten the exact words you used in your article. You wrote:
“…the PCC-NSW” had to beg the then Filipino Multipurpose Centre (now the PACF) to rescue it from litigation and embarrassment.” ;
“And who did the PCC-NSW run to just days before court action would be taken against it?”, the PACF
I reiterate that PCC-NSW did not seek, ask or beg the Filipino Multipurpose Centre or PACF or any officer of these bodies for any form of assistance or support for the Ramos event venue hire or any related expenditures for this event. There was no demand for payment from Darling Harbour Authority. No court action or threat of litigation so it was wrong to use the words “rescue from litigation or embarrassment”. My response was crystal clear. It denied begging for assistance. It denied a litigation case be it looming or already in court. That PCC-NSW begged from MPC and court action was impending are big lies! (There were factors beyond the Steering Committee’s control which should explain why the funds did not suffice to pay for the full Darling Harbour bill. I can discuss these and provide details on another occasion).
I am shocked to read your e-mail stating that I was the first person to complain to you that Consul General Collinson had given all the $30,000 money to MPC without consulting me. Was it Kate Andres who complained to you or someone else? I never spoke to you about this donation without consultation nor complained to you about it. This would be contravening my position in supporting MPC.
As you can appreciate, I carried on and spearheaded other fund-raising projects such as the Hotdog Concert and Phil National Day Ball in 2004 after we raised the $30,000+ at the Westin Ball. I was so passionate and bent on helping construct and complete the Rooty Hill MPC that I had to beg the 2003-04 Board to approve a resolution to donate more to MPC from the proceeds of these projects. And I can tell you I even lost a friend because of my persistence to donate to MPC. And yes, I forked out a few thousands from my pocket so we could have more funds to give MPC from the Westin Ball in 2003 and East Meets West Concert at Sydney Town Hall.
I have more to say and I welcome the opportunity to discuss in public and entertain questions on these issues and related matters. I am glad that these issues were raised in public and on print as it gives me the opportunity to clear the air and se the record straight.
The PCC-NSW owes MPC nothing! PCC-NSW may not have purchased a property worth a million but it built a debt-free Village consisting of over 40 houses for the poor. Sadly, the funds that PCC-NSW raised for Rooty Hill MPC went to waste as the project never came to fruition. The MPC management did not even have the courtesy of notifying the PCC-NSW or other MPC donors and supporters of the sale of this Rooty Hill property.
With the Rooty Hill property valued at no less than $700,000 and the Schofields property valued at say $1,200,000 but owing about $780,000 plus accrued interests, the MPC (PACF) net worth is only $420,000 max to date. It was better off retaining the Rooty Hill property that was worth $700,000 (minimum) and debt-free. And yes when I sat at the MPC Board in 2004, there was cash of over $100,000 in its coffers (including the PCC-NSW donations of over $46,000). MPC borrowed $750,000 from Stacks at 10%, $300,000 from Tess Lopez, $200,000 from Manny Villon and $100,000 from Moises & Maria del Mundo at 8% to purchase Schofields. When the sale contracts were exchanged in 2007 is unknown but this was completed in early 2008.
The Rooty Hill property was however sold only in Feb 2009 for $700,000. The loans summed up to $1,350,000 (and MPC had over $100,000 in its coffers). How much interests were paid? MPC had a least $1,450,000.00. Schofileds was bought only for $1,150,000.00. Now, tell me what do you make out of this management?
Yours faithfully,
Kate Andres