According to very reliable sources, fireworks erupted during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Philippine Australian Community Services Inc. (PACSI) that was held on April 20 at the Max Webber Library in Blacktown.
The AGM was attended by Ed Husic, Federal Member for Chifley and Michelle Rowland, Federal Member for Greenway. Both MPs reportedly left when they sensed that trouble was brewing.
The problem appears to have stemmed from a proposal of incumbent PACSI president Julie Nuñez requiring 3 salaried employees to accomplish a time sheet that will record their attendance in the office. Named as salaried employees were Nelia Sumcad, Lina Cabaero and Lea Glasson.
The proposal also involves the keeping of a diary or “a movement sheet” to record their activities outside the PACSI premises. It was learned that workers need to spend time outside the office to accompany newly-arrived migrants to Centrelink and to other places such as the Department of Housing. As of press time, Ms. Nunez is on an overseas holiday and could not be contacted for comments.
Ms. Nuñez is a volunteer worker who has completed a total term of 4 years as president. There were unconfirmed reports that some of the members planned to oust Ms. Nuñez as president. Scheduled elections however, did not materialise because of the commotion that happened.
All the three salaried employees reportedly opposed the proposal of Nuñez. A volunteer worker who did not want to be identified made a strong statement during the interview by Philippine Sentinel that “Nuñez must step down because she has already completed four consecutive years.”
According to the Rules of PACSI, “No member of the committee may be re-elected beyond four consecutive terms without a two-year recess.”
Because of the commotion and alleged shouting match among opposing members, the scheduled election was postponed to an undetermined date. One member explained that there was only one microphone available. It therefore became necessary for members to raise their voices to be heard.
One day following the interview at PACSI premises, this writer received a telephone call from a woman who identified herself merely as a PACSI member but was not willing to reveal her name. It was explained to her that media do not entertain information received from anonymous callers. We must at least know her identity and promised not to publish her name. She declined and the conversation ended.
Prior to the election of Nuñez, it was Jess Diaz who held the position as president of PACSI. Mr. Diaz eventually became councillor of the City of Blacktown and is now running for re-election.
The Philippines Australia Council in Support of Filipino Women was established in 1989 as a response to the growing number of Filipino women migrating to Australia. In 1995, the name was changed to PACSI to reflect the composition of Filipinos migrating to Australia under the family stream migration.
The organisation continues to be supported by a government grant that pays for the salaries of some employees and its rented quarters at the second floor of a building along Main Street in Blacktown. ###