5 Vallejo Fil-Ams to run in November polls

With the election season fast approaching, five Filipino American candidates in the California city of Vallejo have indicated their intention to run for various local offices in November 8 polls.

Two Fil-Ams, Solano County Board of Education incumbents Larry Asera (Area 5) and Dr. Rozzana Verder-Aliga (Area 7), are both seeking re-election to positions that at the moment remain unchallenged.

Retired Vallejo police sergeant Bob Sampayan and former US Navy commander (retired) Jesus “Jess” Malgapo have announced their intention to run for one of three open council seats.

They will be running against incumbent Vallejo councilwoman Errin Hannigan who has indicated she will seek her second term, along with Vallejo resident and community activist Sam Kurshan and local lawyer Robert McConnell.

In other local election news, retired Pastor Tony Ubalde has officially filed his candidacy for the two-year vacancy term left by the late Cris “Oggee” Villanueva who died of cancer last June 6. Ubalde is seeking office as a Vallejo Unified School District School Board Member.

Sampayan, who started his law enforcement career in Palo Alto, became a Vallejo police officer in 1985 and worked as a training officer, academy instructor, detective specializing in gangs and ultimately a commander of the Central Community Substation in downtown Vallejo.

He retired in 1986 as a police sergeant and today works part time as a crime prevention coordinator for Fighting Back Partnership, a non-profit agency in Vallejo partnering with businesses, residents, and local government to improve neighborhoods and as well as support youth development creating a save, healthy and thriving community.

Malgapo, on the other hand, served in the US Navy for more than 20 years and was a “mustang,” which means an enlisted man who became an officer.  With a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, he was also Graduate Navy Officer Candidate School, Navy Supply Corps School and the US Navy’s Practical Comptrollership.

He was a recipient of the Meritorious Service and Navy Commendation medals and his experience included 10 years as a project administrator for environmental remediation corporation.

Malgapo, although retired is still active in the community as chairman of the Vallejo Veterans Memorial Building Council; past president of the largest FilAm veteran’s organization in the Bay Area—Fil Am Retired US Armed Forces Services (FARUSAFA);  Director, Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce as well as Host, Veterans

Roundtable and Vallejo Community Access Television (VCAT)

Vallejo Unified School District school board candidate Ubalde is a retired pastor and professor for with more than 37 years in the ministry with diverse congregations in San Francisco, Sacramento and Vallejo.

He was elected and served in the past as a trustee of the Solano Community College Governing Board in Solano County.

“I didn’t think  I would be running for any political offices anymore. When Cris, the twin brother of the late Oggee Villanueva  announced that he would not run for the vacancy left by his brother, many in the Fil-Am community encouraged  me to consider to run for the two year vacancy left by Oggee,” Ubalde commented.

“It was not an easy decision to make because as a retiree, I have been enjoying my retirement and spending my time with my grandchildren,” Ubalde said. “But when my community called me to serve, I take it seriously…now I made my decision, I feel wholeheartedly ready.”

For the two Vallejo Council candidates FilAm Star asked why they are running for councilman and what made this the right moment?

“Vallejo is a city in transition,” said Sampayan. “It has emerged from bankruptcy with a plan to move us forward. This is a golden opportunity to shape the future of our community. I plan to help showcase Vallejo as a proud community in transition that is being reborn wiser, fiscally healthier and stronger.”

Sampayan emphasized that a cohesive City Council is the key to promote Vallejo by agreeing on short and long term solutions to better assist in Vallejo’s image and financial health.

“As a result of the world economic downturn, we must begin to think outside the box when it comes to enticing businesses,” Sampayan indicated to add his idea of looking into light shipping and receiving at Mare Island and developing Mare Island’s north end with commercial and retail establishments.

For Malgapo his is a motivation to make Vallejo a desirable place to live and do business.

He responded:  “I have strong leadership qualities, good understanding of fiscal issues, working knowledge of business and economic development and a genuine concern in addressing the needs of our seniors, youth and veterans.”

While Malgapo underscored the importance and priority to help Vallejo regain financial strength and sustain economic growth, he enumerated his goals: “My goals are to develop prudent fiscal policies, formulate vital economic initiatives that will create jobs and generate revenues, promote public safety and improve the quality of life of all Vallejoans.”