Philippine Parade All Set Despite Supreme Court Case in NYC

By Marivir R. Montebon

New York City – Despite an ensuing litigation at the Supreme Court, the Philippine Independence Day Council is set to hold the traditional parade on Madison Avenue on June 3, 2018. Amb. Mario de Leon Jr. formerly the Consul General of New York, stands to be this year’s honorary Grand Marshal.

Dr. Restituto Estacio, a retired physician and an active decorated community leader from Philadelphia, will be this year’s Grand Marshal.

Ner Martinez

PIDCI president Ner Martinez said during its membership meeting on February 24 at the Philippine Consulate that PIDCI is preparing for a great celebration and that the new leaders wanted to regain the solidarity. “We are doing the best way we could,” he told about 30 attendees of a supposed 150 expected participants to the meeting.

Parade participants will include Philippine WW II veterans, the Bacolod Maskara, Tangub dancers, Dinagyang contingents, and a host of colorful others.

Consul General Tess de Vega

Consul General Tess Dizon de Vega said that Archbp. Bernardito Auza, Vatican’s representative to the UN, will celebrate the thanksgiving mass with the community on June 3.

Martinez, elected in October 2017, along with seven new Board members, is saddled with a promulgation by the Supreme Court to submit financial records for 2014 to 2016 as well as a petition to review the conduct of PIDCI’s recent elections.

The petitioners United Mindoro International, represented by Juliet Payabyab, and Philippine Community Center Services for the Aging, represented by Nieva Quezon Burdick, said they demand accountability and transparency in past interviews.

Martinez said the case had been divisive and hopes for the court’s favorable decision before June. De Vega, an adviser of PIDCI, gave an encouraging message in her opening remarks, citing  the need for PIDCI to be ‘soul-searching in these tough times in the sense that everyone has to be heard.’

During the membership meeting, the treasurer’s report indicated a deficit of $6586.80 while amendments to its by-laws are being proposed to the entire membership for approval.

The Philippine Independence day parade here will be the 28th year of celebration outside Philippine territory, and so far the biggest.

The Philippines is the oldest Republic in East Asia which is 120 years old this year. (Photos by Lambert Parong)