Press Release: Former Filipino BC Directors Demand Full Financial Transparency on Funds Raised After Lapu-Lapu Day Tragedy

Posted by ReyFort Media

December 3, 2025 — Vancouver, BC — Four former Filipino BC Board Directors are calling for immediate, full financial transparency from Filipino BC regarding all funds raised for victims of the April 26 Lapu-Lapu Day Festival tragedy — an incident that claimed 11 lives and left many more in long-term physical, emotional, and financial distress.

Despite significant donations from the public, private donors, and partners, survivors continue to report receiving little to no support, with some families stating they have waited months without meaningful assistance.

The former directors — Antonio Ortega, Concepcion Colobong, Lina Vargas, and Oscar Bisnar — have formally requested that Filipino BC release all financial, governance, and record-keeping documentation related to the collection, allocation, and disbursement of victim-support funds. Their request is rooted in clear statutory obligations under the BC Societies Act, which requires strict accuracy, accessibility, and transparency in the handling of public donations.

“Donors gave in good faith. Victims are still suffering. The public deserves to know where the money went.”

As outlined under Sections 20, 24, 27, 35, and 53 of the Societies Act, Filipino BC must maintain complete and accurate records of:

• All funds received and disbursed
• The purpose of each transaction
• Minutes and resolutions of directors’ meetings
• Conflict-of-interest disclosures
• Annual financial statements
• Remuneration paid to directors, staff, contractors, or consultants

Key Transparency Requests

The former directors are calling on Filipino BC to publicly release:

1. A full accounting of all funds raised for Lapu-Lapu Day victims, including totals received through partners, third parties, and online donations.
2. A complete list of all disbursements, including recipients, dates, purposes, and amounts.
3. A breakdown of all payments to contractors, staff, consultants, volunteers, and related parties.
4. Disclosure of salaries, stipends, honoraria, reimbursements, and expenses paid from victim-support funds.
5. Details of the decision-making process used to determine eligibility and levels of support.
6. Confirmation that no funds were diverted to unrelated activities, political advocacy, personal benefit, or disproportionate administrative overhead.
7. Copies of all board approvals, minutes, and resolutions related to fundraising and distribution.
8. Financial statements for all relevant fiscal years, including any audits or review engagements.
9. Documentation of financial controls used to safeguard donations.
10. Records of complaints or disputes raised by victims, donors, or partners — and how these concerns were addressed.
11. Clarification on any remaining undistributed funds, including reasons and a distribution timeline.

Call for Independent Audit

To prevent further erosion of trust, the former directors are urging Filipino BC to commission a third-party independent audit of all financial records tied to the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy. This would include a full review of compliance with the Societies Act and all statutory record-keeping obligations.

The former directors emphasize that transparency is not optional — it is fundamental to the ethical operation of any registered society, particularly one entrusted with public donations intended for vulnerable victims.

“Transparency protects the victims, the donors, and the integrity of Filipino BC itself.”

They warn that continued failure to disclose financial information will only deepen community mistrust and raise further concerns about the handling of the funds.

A Call to Act Without Delay

The former directors urge Filipino BC to release the requested information immediately and commit to a transparent, accountable process moving forward. (By Antonio Ortega, Concepcion Colobong, Lina Vargas & Oscar Bisnar)