07 December 2025, from Gems Molina:

Dear Fellow Phase 678 Lot Owners:

Yesterday, Phase 678 once again proved how a principled, united, and courageous community can make a difference for AFPOVAI — when it decides as one.

Challenged in the last week of November 2025 to undertake special elections within only 30 days of notice by HSAC, key members of the Phase 678 Board lost no time in alerting the general membership, engaging the ELECOMM and executing a plan of action focused mainly on our MIGS as voter turnout became the critical factor.

As luck would have it, I had to leave for Japan with my family for a scheduled vacation as election day drew near. I was thus constrained to simply participate in discussions online as Vice Chair Gen Jun Kintanar took over. But even before departure, I had no doubts about the eventual outcome. We would prevail and win. Just how overwhelmingly, I had no idea.

Then yesterday it happened: a sweeping victory like no other, a massive landslide and sweet vindication of our votes in 2024.

So off the bat, to the 69 Members in Good Standing (MIGS) who heeded our urgent call and came out swinging, our huge thanks to all of you! Despite the incredibly short notice, the trespass on your time, and tyranny of distance, you showed up in person to be counted.

You came out in force in excess of the quorum requirement, knowing that the others won’t be able to make it, and aware, I’m sure, that without the numbers, our special elections could have failed. But you didn’t allow it. I salute your courage for turning up when it mattered the most.

Trapped in a bus in Shinjuku yesterday, I learned about the sacrifices made, particularly by Director Atty Carlos Canilao who commuted posthaste from Baguio, and Sir Jess Lomeda who flew all the way from US and paid his arrears, just to cast their votes. The efforts and willingness of our Chairman Emeritus, Amb Senga, Sir Babes Flores and Sir Larry Dela Cruz to endure inconvenience just to beat the 5 pm deadline were also admirable.

Equally laudable were the resolute and painstaking efforts by Vice Chairman Lt Gen Jun Kintanar, President Atty Manny Satuito, Vice President MGen Vic Guerzon, Sec Carlo Concepcion, Treasurer Tess Mendoza, Auditor Lt Gen Sonny Lim, Super Admin Gigi Lim, and the rest of our Board of Directors and support staff who each stepped forward and worked overtime just to reach out to everyone and make things happen.

Organizing a full-scale special election within a space of one week —the shortest ever in AFPOVAI history— was no easy task. That they pulled it off in documented coordination with the ELECOMM without cutting corners deserves the highest commendation.

At the end of the day, it was our MIGS who really made the difference, and this message is for you and all about you. For you voted clearly for reasons larger than any individual or factional interest. You made your voice heard:

— to comply fully and faithfully with the ELECOMM directive to hold elections on 06 December;
— to stamp the legitimacy and integrity of today’s Phase 678 Special Elections;
— to reaffirm and revalidate the outcomes of the 2024 AFPOVAI Elections for Directors-at-Large; and
— to underscore our collective choice of the AFPOVAI leaders we truly trust.

Your participation demonstrated not only your unqualified support, but your integrity and determination to do what’s right for our association.

And, oh, how incredibly you delivered! I could not believe the election tallies myself. Out of 69 voters, President Ricardo Dela Paz and Director Cezar Mancao got perfect 68 votes each, former Chairman Raymundo Jarque got 66 votes, and Director Lysias Cabusao received 65 votes. A virtual shutout, this is one for the books.

A week before it happened, Vice Chair Gen Jun Kintanar said that the writing was already on the wall. Still we were made to “play ball.” Then yesterday, metaphorically like Shohei Ohtani, you swung for the ballpark with targeted precision and altogether completed spectacular home runs.

We hope this would finally put to rest any doubts about the integrity of the 2024 AFPOVAI BOD and/or our own Phase 678 BOD elections. But not quite. For a new round of protest could conceivably come from any of the candidates who lost. We recognize it is their right.

But to that point, let me say this. Let no one assail our own right and duty to defend the validity of our democratic choices. And let no one underestimate the exponential power of our solidarity and resolve to meet every challenge.

Some residents at AFPOVAI may view us differently for being “non-residents.” Some Board members may even disparage us and perpetually keep us out of the AFPOVAI community. But that is where we precisely draw our strength — from being left out and kept out and never accepted for the truth of who we are — an abused, deprived, disadvantaged and dislocated community.

Indeed, we draw our strength from being the disavowed minority. That’s why we fight. Not with power, but with principle. Not with might, but with what is right. And not apart from AFPOVAI, but with AFPOVAI. For we have as every right and entitlement to the AFPOVAI land as any titled homeowner has. But remain — for 60 years now since the promulgation of PP 461 — the homeless lot owners at AFPOVAI.

If others come at us with ill will or breathe ignorance about our cause, we to speak to them the truth in the same way we present the immutable facts to all higher authorities. But we stand and fight our ground as one. The oxygen we breathe is our unity and solidarity.

All the available and physically able Phase 678 members in good standing or their proxies made it unequivocably clear yesterday. We are decisively stronger together.

Thank you all for making our Dec 6 Special Elections our victorious vindication and glorious affirmation. May this not only mark the kind of stand we are willing to take to the next level of engagement with the highest authorities, but also inspire other members to become full fledged MIGS — all for our greater common good.

Muli, maraming salamat sa inyo. Mabuhay ang AFPOVAI Phase 678. Happy Sunday to all!