U.S. Filipinos Unite to Seek Political Clout

The Filipino-American community in United States, long divided over conflicting loyalties to the government in Manila, held its largest meeting ever in Anaheim on Saturday to form a national organization aimed at gaining more political influence in this country.

More than 800 Filipino-Americans, representing 18 states, attended the weekend convention and adopted the first constitution of the National Filipino-American Council. The organization is aimed at making Filipino-Americans more influential nationally and creating more support in the United States for the Philippines.

“Never before in the history of the Filipino-American community has such an assemblage been held,” said Alex A. Esclamado, founder of the organization and publisher of the Philippine News in San Francisco. “If we are to have political power, what we do today is a must.”

Political Leaders Speak

Speakers at the convention at the Anaheim Hilton included Rep. Stephen J. Solarz (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House subcommittee on Asian and Pacific affairs, Mayors Tom Bradley of Los Angeles and Dianne Feinstein of San Francisco and Lt. Gov. Leo T. McCarthy.

Several speakers called the gathering historic because it signaled unity between those who had backed ousted President Ferdinand E. Marcos and supporters of President Corazon Aquino’s “People Power” revolution last year.

Esclamado estimated the Filipino-American population at almost 2 million, nearly half of them in California.