Protest Sent to The White House Over the Appointment of NaFFAA’s Rozita Lee to the President's Advisory Commission

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Protest Sent to The White House Over the Appointment of NaFFAA’s Rozita Lee to the President's Advisory Commission

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Friday, 17 September 2010 11:11

The News UpFront: (TOP STORY) as of Friday, September 17, 2010

H ardly has the news gone out last night of an appointment by President Obama of a Filipino-American community leader than a protest is being registered on Friday, less than 24 hours after the White House made the announcement. The financial woes and suspected wrongdoings at the moribund National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA) are now being dragged into the open as Las Vegas, Nevada-based Rozita V. Lee got named a member of a presidential advisory commission in Washington, D.C. The White House has set the swearing-in of Lee and 17 others on Tuesday at the US Capitol.

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NAFFAA A 'CORRUPT ORGANIZATION,' SAYS JOURNALIST

Ills in NaFFAA Outshine Appointment of Fil-Am Community Leader to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

T ORONTO - A Los Angeles-based Filipino journalist on Friday (Sept. 17, 2010) protested US President Barack Obama's appointment of a Filipino-American community leader to an advisory post less-than 24 hours after The White House made the announcement.

Bobby Reyes, editor and publisher of the online MabuhayRadio.com, asked The White House to continue with its vetting process on Rozita V. Lee, the current national vice chair of the moribund National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA), who was named a member of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

In Washington, meanwhile, The White House Media Affairs Office disclosed Friday that Ms. Lee and others will be sworn in at the US Capitol on Tuesday.

Reyes said NaFFAA is "a corrupt organization, which could be prosecuted for criminal violations of the 'Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations' (RICO) Act". (Related story at: http://timecircumstance.blogspot.com/2010/09/is-naffaa-already-dead-or-still-dying.html)

It's not clear if Reyes wanted The White House to recall the appointment or rescind it altogether. Ms. Lee was not immediately available for comment and neither were officials of the NaFFAA.

"Our main objection to the appointment of Ms. Rozita Lee is based on her membership in the ruling clique that has been running, and that continues to run, the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA)," Reyes said in a letter to President Obama and coursed through Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

"Ms. Rozita Lee is the NaFFAA’s national vice chairperson since 2006. We have been publishing reports x x x about the NaFFAA being a corrupt organization, which could be prosecuted for criminal violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act," Reyes explained.

The NaFFAA trumpets itself as the "Voice of Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States" though it is no more than an advocacy and lobby group for the varied interests of its national officials. It also claims to have "more than five- hundred Filipino-American institutions and umbrella organizations" in 12 regions all over the US.

R eyes said that published articles had accused Ms. Lee "of issuing NaFFAA checks with her sole signature in violation of the NaFFAA bylaws’ requirement of two signatures".

"We will be filing also against the same NaFFAA clique members, including Ms. Rozita Lee, complaints for tax evasion with the Criminal Prosecution Division of the Internal Revenue Service," according to Reyes, and provide the Office of the President with a copy of the complaints by next week.

Reyes said Ms. Lee should have informed the White House that she would be one of the respondents in the complaint that he was set to file with the Department of Justice for what he claims was the NaFFAA officials' violation of the RICO Act.

Ms. Lee was one of 18 individuals appointed to key administration posts. "Our nation will be well-served by the skill and dedication these men and women bring to their new roles. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead,” President Obama said in an earlier statement. # # #

For other stories and photos, 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/ .

PHILIPPINE VILLAGE VOICE - Redefining Community News
Currents & Breaking News

Volume 4, Issue No. 33

/ 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 . . .

< Prev		Next >

Newer news items:

11/15/2010 15:36 - CA AG’s Investigation of Dodger Dream Foundation Bolsters Case Against NaFFAA’s Exorbitant Consultants’ Fees
09/23/2010 09:50 - President Noynoy Aquino Visits the City Where One of the Biggest Fil-Am Scams Happened in August 2002
09/20/2010 14:09 - A September to Remember: Pay-back Time for the NaFFAA Crooks
09/19/2010 12:54 - Two Fil-Am Community Leaders Appointed by President Obama to Asian-Advisory Commission
09/17/2010 15:51 - NaFFAA NEOs in Collision Course with Consul General Paynor Over President Aquino’s Visit to Northern California

Older news items:

09/14/2010 15:49 - Do Loida Lewis and the NaFFAA NEOs Think that Filipino Americans Are “Bobos” Like Them?
09/12/2010 10:20 - Loida Lewis Finally Sends in “Consuelo-de-Bobo” Financial Reports But Move Opens Can of More Worms
09/12/2010 10:10 - How the NaFFAA Clique “Outsmarted” Mike Arroyo in 1998 and Continues to Scam the Community
09/11/2010 10:13 - Loida Lewis Is Actually the Legendary Baroness of the “Buta-butandings”
09/09/2010 11:01 - Loida Lewis Refuses to Account for Fil-Am Donations to Noynoy Campaign Kitty and Calls Bobby Reyes a “Fool”

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Last Updated on Friday, 17 September 2010 19:31

Comments (5)

His Excellency
President Barack H. Obama
The White House

Through the Honorable Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

Your Excellency:

RE: Protest to the Appointment of Ms. Rozita Lee to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

We have the honor of informing you that we have been publishing press releases from the Office of the Press Secretary in our Filipino-American website.

We now take the honor of informing Your Excellency of our protest to the appointment of Ms. Rozita Lee of Las Vegas, Nevada, to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, as carried in this news item written by our correspondent, Romeo P. Marquez:

President Obama Appoints Filipino American to White House’s Asian-Pacific Islanders Advisory Commission

URL: http://www.mabuhayradio.com/the-white-house/president-obama-appoints-filipino-american-to-white-house-s-asian-pacific-islanders-advisory-commission

Our main objection to the appointment of Ms. Rozita Lee is based on her membership in the ruling clique that has been running, and that continues to run, the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA). Ms. Rozita Lee is the NaFFAA’s national vice chairperson since 2006. We have been publishing reports in the NaFFAAgate Section of our website about the NaFFAA being a corrupt organization, which could be prosecuted for criminal violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

The NaFFAAgate Section of our website may be accessed at this URL: http://www.mabuhayradio.com/naffaagate/

Ms. Rozita Lee should have informed the Office of the President during the vetting process of her appointment that she would be one of the respondents in the complaint that we are about to file with the Department of Justice for her NaFFAA clique’s violation of the RICO Act. We will be filing also against the same NaFFAA clique members, including Ms. Rozita Lee, complaints for tax evasion with the Criminal Prosecution Division of the Internal Revenue Service. We will provide the Office of the President with a copy of our complaints after we have submitted them to the said federal offices by next week.

Ms. Rozita Lee should have informed The White House that a Google search of her name would reveal articles like this result, which accused her of issuing NaFFAA checks with her sole signature in violation of the NaFFAA bylaws’ requirement of two signatures:

Why Filipino Americans Are Avoiding the NaFFAA Like It Were a ...
How come the NEOs like its national vice chair, Ms. Rozita Lee, who happens also to head the NaFFAA chapter in Las Vegas, continue to issue NaFFAA chapter ...
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/naffaagate/why-filipino-americans-are-avoiding-the-naffaa-like-it-were-a-plague

We send to His Excellency the assurances of our highest esteem and the deepest appreciation of instructing a continuation of the vetting process for the appointment of Ms. Rozita Lee.

Very respectfully yours,

Bobby M. Reyes
Editor
www.mabuhayradio.com (Founded 2007)
and Founder-Chairman Emeritus
Media Breakfast Club of Los Angeles, California (Founded 1993)
Tel.: (626) 825-0628

CC: Ms. Rozita Lee
Mr. Romeo P. Marquez

Thank you for contacting the White House.

President Obama is committed to creating the most open and accessible administration in American history. That begins with taking comments and questions from you, the public, through our website.

Our office receives tens of thousands of messages from Americans each day. We do our best to reply to as many as we can, but please be aware that you may find more information and answers to your questions online.

We encourage you to visit WhiteHouse.gov regularly to follow news and updates, and to learn more about President Obama's agenda for change.

For an easy-to-navigate source of information on Federal government services, please visit: www.USA.gov

Thank you again for your message.

The Office of Presidential Correspondence
http://www.whitehouse.gov/thank-you

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In a message dated 9/17/2010 12:49:35 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it writes:

RE: Protest Sent to White House Over the Appointment of NaFFAA’s Rozita Lee

FYI.

Protest Sent to The White House Over the Appointment of NaFFAA’s Rozita Lee to the President's Advisory Commission -- An Exclusive by Romeo P. Marquez

URL: http://www.mabuhayradio.com/naffaagate/protest-sent-to-the-white-house-over-the-appointment-of-naffaa-s-rozita-lee-to-the-presidents-advisory-commission

Happy reading and have a happier weekend,

www.mabuhayradio.com

In a message dated 9/17/2010 11:14:42 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it writes:

Re: WHITE HOUSE INITIATIVE ON ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS (2)
White House Initiative

On Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

ADVISORY: CONTACT: Liz Utrup

Friday, Sept. 17, 2010 202-401-1576 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

WHITE HOUSE INITIATIVE ON ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS

TO SWEAR IN PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY COMMISSION MEMBERS TUESDAY

Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Rep. Honda to Join Community Leaders to Honor the Commissioners on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON – More than a dozen new members of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders will be sworn in at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday.

The Commission will work to improve the quality of life and opportunities for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through increased access to, and participation in, Federal programs in which they may be underserved, by providing advice to President Obama and the co-chairs of the White House Initiative, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.

PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

DATE: Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010

TIME: 7:30 p.m.
PLACE: Congressional Auditorium and Atrium

U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

ARTICIPANTS: Kiran Ahuja, director, White House Initiative on AAPIs

Daphne Kwok, chair, President’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs

Hines Ward, professional football player, Pittsburgh Steelers

Sefa Aina, director, Pomona College Asian American Resource Center

Amardeep Singh, co-founder, the Sikh Coalition

Debra T. Cabrera, faculty member, St. John’s School

Kamuela J. N. Enos, community resource development director, MA`O Organic Farms

Frances Eneski Francis, partner, Spiegel & McDiarmid LLP

Farooq Kathwari, chairman and CEO, Ethan Allen Interiors

Hyeok Kim, executive director, InterIm Community Development Association

Ramey Ko, associate judge, City of Austin Municipal Court

Rozita Villanueva Lee, national vice chair, National Federation of Filipino American Associations

Sunil Puri, president, First Rockford Group, Inc.

Unmi Song, executive director, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

Dilawar A. Syed, president and CEO, Yonja Media Group

Kampha Thephavong, physician, Veterans Affairs Hospital, Fresno, Calif.

Doua Thor, executive director, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center

Hector L. Vargas, Jr., executive director, Gay & Lesbian Medical Association

# # #

**NOTE: Space is limited. Media representatives interested in covering the Swearing-In Ceremony must pre-credential by Monday, Sept. 20 by emailing their name, title and organization and contact details to Toby Chaudhuri at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .**

The White House · 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW · Washington DC 20500 · 202-456-1111

Another laundering of dirty filipino linen goes on within the Filcom coast to coast than seldom even occurs at other asian cultures. Rare Filipinos appear united and only when say, Pacqiuao won another fight. Or that the promise of P-Noy's election appear to have rallied the masses. For the good of the country. Amidst accusation on criminal activity, or the absence of actual suits filed in the court of law, please, naman, stop the nakaka-hiya na pinoy drama. Aware Mr. Bobby Reyes' writings on the scandal in San Jose which eventually proved him right, perhaps he maybe right on yet another concerning scandal at NaFFa, to which he could be sued for libel and that, also evidently is still absent. Unless I have not noticed. In the meantime I applaud Pres. Obama's appointment of Ms Rozita Lee having presumed she may have contributed fairly great sum to his party to warrant such appointment.

Oh well,, Let's enjoy the delectable ' Pangat ' dishes culturally ; Pangat-long init lang.

Pareng Romy,

It's a compelling story. That woman's appointment to Obama's presidential advisory commission must be stopped, or at least, vetted more. Otherwise, all your writings about the "corrupt" leadership of NaFFAA and the exposes that you and LOLO Bobby have diligently written in tandem would be all for naught.

Her winning that appointment would be a sure triumph for the "crooks" of NaFFAA, but defeating that appointment would put the last nail, so to speak, to the coffin of NaFFAA's leading thieves.

Que horror, if she wins, pare.

Take care.

Jesse