Guam Filipinos concerned about YouTube video

by Nick Delgado

Guam - An anonymously posted YouTube video depicting an assistant attorney general of Guam allegedly making racial remarks toward Filipinos has the local Filipino community concerned. The concern might even result in an ethics complaint to the Guam Bar and a further internal investigation by the AG's Office.

"Their English is not good enough. I don't think their English is good enough...I don't like that idea at all... You're dealing with a Third World country where English is a second language." It was those brief statements made during a Guam Board of Allied Health Examiners meeting by Assistant AG Ben Abrams that has the Filipino community in an uproar.

The video was posted anonymously on YouTube and alleges Abrams is a racist. Abrams explained the discussions surrounded allegations and concerns about Dr. Joel Joseph, and that the YouTube video is a feeble attempt to get attention, calling the video an act of desperation. He adds he's married to a Filipina.

But Phillipine Consul General Bayani Mangibin declined an on-camera interview, but released the following statement: "It is the responsibility of the Philippine Counsel General to correct wrong impressions about the Philippines and the Filipinos and to make appropriate action against racially discriminating remarks that defame the dignity of the Philippines as a country and the Filipinos as people…Filipinos have intricate understanding of the US legal systems as the Philippine legal system is closely patterned after that of the US."

He also points out statistics from an English proficiency test done by Pearson Talent Assessment showing Filipinos ranked top over Latin America, East Europe and India. The Philippine Consul General's Office will also meet with the Guam Bar Association to find out whether or not the allegations warrant an ethics complaint.

"If it relates to the conduct, an ethical conduct of a particular attorney and that it involves a violation of the rules of professional responsibility, specifically either ethical issues or concerning unauthorized practice of law of an individual who professes themselves to be an attorney then the proper recourse would be to file and lodge a complaint with the Ethics Office," said president of the Guam Bar Association, Cynthia Ecube.

Mangibin says, "The AG expressed his apprehension that the video incident might create a propaganda effect and divert the focused determination of the AGO to prosecute the concerned case with integrity and transparency."

While Guam AG Leonardo Rapadas said he would further discuss the issue with the Filipino community to help convince them that no bad will was ever intended, Dr. Joseph reacts to assistant AG Abrams' claims that his son was involved with the YouTube video. He said, "He made a stupid statement and it was stupid that he didn't apologize for it."

"Mr. Abrams made those remarks they are on the video, they have nothing to do with Wise Owl, no one from Wise Owl was there. Mr. Abrams know this and his claims that Wise Owl's involved are a lie."

Dr. Joseph, who moved to Fiji, is back on Guam to attend his disciplinary hearing that continues this evening regarding complaints that he stalked a member of the Allied Health Board, and caused anxiety and stress on the members when he questioned the board's authority.