UPAlumni.net

By Nelia Gonzales
UPAA Election Forum
August 27 2003

Our dear friends and supporters:

We would like to welcome you to this forum

1) To give GP 21’s thanks and appreciation for your overwhelming support in electing 20 of our Group of 21 out of the 23 seats of the Board of Directors of UPAA.

2) To thank you also for helping bring about a membership fund of Php2.4 Million to our coffers where only Php100,000.00 came about in past elections. This election brought forth 16,000 voters; in the past only about 1,000 voters participated in these elections.

3) To submit to you the results of this election in a total tally provided to us by the UPAA Comelec showing the results of the recent election as canvassed in 10 precints.

4) To ask you to help us advise the UPAA Comelec and the outgoing UPAA Board to proclaim the winners. Masyadong mahaba na po ang panahon.

On April 22 before the RTC of Quezon City, under Judge Rogelio Pizarro of the UPAA Board (represented by Atty. gari Tiongco), the UPAA Comelec (represented by Atty. Chito Avecilla) the GP23 and the GP21 agreed on the following:

1) By way of concession the GP21 allowed 1,500 ballots to be cast by GP23

2) The final casting of ballots was moved from May 30 to June 14, 2003

3) The final canvass was moved from May 31 to June 16, 2003

The rule is for the immediate proclamation of winners by the UPAA Comelec. Up to today no such proclamation has taken palce.

4) The UPAA Board of Directors and the UPAA Comelec defied the order of Judge Pizarro to submit the final tally to the court. Instead, it petitioned the Supreme Court to transfer the case to the Commercial Court for lack of jurisdiction.

To my simple mind the actions of both bodies, the UPAA Board and the UPAA Comelec is a mockery of JUSTICE, the first of its kind in the history of the Alumni Association.

About two weeks ago the UPAA purchased a new ballot box worth Php19,000.00 and distributed 1,000 ballots; one week after Mrs. Leon Arceo and Mrs. Gocolea (wives of GP23) candidates cast these 1,000 ballots, an apparent continuation of the election process. Not even the national election allows a defiance of deadlines.

Let us rebuild an Alumni Association founded on a HARD ROCK–where justice, honor and integrity are the guiding principles on which shining examples of exemplary leaders shall emerge. Together we can cleanse an abode of dirty practices and one again uphold the dignity that UP so proudly stands for. In God’s time nothing is ever late.