In a surprising development, the Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT) co-founder, former Chairman, and principal benefactor, Dr. Vicky Santiago, DDM, has resigned from the FCT Board of Directors (BOD).
The loss of Dr. Santiago, a stalwart supporter, at this critical time does not bode well for the FCT BOD. As a pillar and well-respected figure in the Filipino community her presence and guidance, where most needed now by the FCT board, will be missing. Moreover, her absence would likely leave a void in FCT’s leadership and another blow to its unsettled image.
Dr. Santiago’s unexpected departure comes amid a financial dilemma facing FCT.
Firstly, FCT has yet to present for membership approval a Financial Statement in final form from 2016 to 2020 – a total of five years since the 2017 sale of its Parliament building for $5.9 million.
Secondly, the BOD has been struggling to execute a 2018 AGM (Annual General Meeting) approved membership motion or mandate to have an independent third-party audit performed on its books. This audit is to clear up outstanding concerns and matters on its accounting practices and questions relating to accounts payable of $678,000 that the BOD only revealed to its members right after the 2017 sale of its building asset.
With her extensive mileage in social and civic work, Dr. Santiago was known to be a voice of reason and conscience in FCT governance and aims as a Board member to adequately address issues and champion the truth.
Does this beg the question – what led to FCT losing its longtime patron, donor, and advocate?