Filipino convention passes resolutions

Title

Language

English

Year

1943

Subject

Political conventions—Philippines.

Resolutions, Legislative—Philippines.

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Abstract

Subsequent reports on the Fifth Annual Inter-Community Convention which ended on July 4th after a four- day conference indicates that a number of important resolutions were approved, which, if carried into effect, would prove to be forward steps toward the accomplishment of the principal aim of the convention—a more active and effective participation of free Filipinos in the allied war effort and in the building of a new Philippines.

Fulltext

Filipino Convention Passes Resolutions TEOFll.O S. SUAREZ !'resident of the Filipino Comn11111i:y of Stockton & Vicinity, Jue., who played hoJt to the officials and delegrues a/lending the Fifth A111111:1L lnter-Co11/.11umity Co11l'en1io11 at Stockton, Cali/or11/fl. SuBSEQUENT reporcs on the Fifth Annual Inter-Community Convention which ended on July 4th after a fourday conference indicates that a number of important resolmions were approved, which, if carried into effect, would prove to be forward steps toward the accomplishment of the principal aim nf the convention----{l more active and effective participation of free Filipinos in the aUied war effort and in the building of a new Philippines. One resolution made it of record that the delegates to the Convention wished it to be known "to our people in the Philippines that they are in our thoughts day and night and that we are all doing our level best in helping all the efforts of the United Nations for their evenrual liberation, the expulsion of the Japanese from our soil." This message was broadcast four times to the people of the Philippines-in English on July 23rd, and on July 24th in English, in Tagalog and Samar-Leyte Visayan, according ro the chief of the Philippine Section, Office of War Information, Overseas Branch in San Francisco. In another resolution, the Filipino Inter-Community Organization of the Western States petiriohs the Philippine Government in exile that a government survey of Filipino business enterprises be made ro determine rhe scope of their financial and technological need. Government guidance is sought particularly for such Filipinos who on ac( Contin11ed from page 3 ) Highlights of the speech embodying the plan, as delivered by Mr. Adeva before rhe convention at Srockron, California, follow: I am sure char no·one would dispute my statement that every Filipino outside of our unhappy land, is chinking of the homeland and of his part in its reconstruction after the Japanese invaders have been driven our. I am sure every one of us feels deep down in his heart that he has-or must have-a definite part in the rebuilding of our country after the war. The Filipinos in the armed forces of the United Stares have already been assigned a definite and hazardous part. It is their job to free our country by force of arms from the savage conquerors. They lead the way and clear the path. It is our job-we soldiers of the home front6 Preside111 of the Filipino Jn. ter-Co11wut11ity Orga11izr11io11 of the llV estem States, who 111t1s re-elected for a second ter11l, at the close of the Co11ve111ion on ]11/y 4th. ANTONIO A. G ONZA LEZ count of age, are no longer "able to do hard, manual labor bur who are desirous of investing their savings in some worthwhile business enterprises." The resolution assumes that "with government support and guidance Filipino investors will readily put up their money in business." Scoring unwarranted attacks on high ranking Philippine government officials in \X'ashington by certain sections of the Philippine press in the West Coast, one resolution describes such "subversive" publications, "designed to undermine the faith and loyalty of our people in our government-in-exile, thus making it harder for us ro continue our fight for' freedom." These particular rimes, the resolution emphasizes, calls for unity nor disunity, understanding, nor dissension. Citing the establishment of a Philippine Center in New York City, the Convention has resolved to petition the Philippine government to establish a similar office in Seatrle ro rake care of Filipino affairs in rhe Pacific Northwest and Alaska in coordination with the Office of rhe Philippine Resident Commissioner, Western Division, in San Francisco. Other resolutions sought further assistance in securing favorable court decisions on California" s Anti-Alien Land Law and the repeal of laws discriminatory ro Filipinos in California, Washingron, and ocher scares. to follow them and rebuild over the ruins a richer Philippines-a Philippines where we and our children could enjoy the four freedoms enunciated by President Roosevelt, namely freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. What can we who are left behind to follow the soldiers contribute ro this tremendous job of reconstruction? The answer, my beloved countrymen, is OUR SA VIN GS. Our country will need money with which to rebuild her basic industries. Our country will need capital not only to rebuild bur to develop and put into full use our vast narural resources. Our soldier heroes can give no more; they already stand ready to sacrifice their lives for our country's redemption. ( C ontintted on page 8) PHILIPPINBS

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