MikeLigalig.com

Michelle Baltazar
ABS-CBN NEWS, Australia

A Sydney lawyer turned politician seeks to increase the participation of Filipino-Australians in the Australian government, ABS-CBN Australia News Bureau reported.

Jess Diaz of Sydney, candidate for the Federal Parliament seat of Chifley, scored a political coup when he received more than $20,000 from family, friends and supporters at his fund raising events.

"It's been very, very gratifying. It's been satisfying," Diaz said, adding that "when you know that the community supports you, when you know you have a good grasp of the people around you, when you have an excellent campaign team, you know that nothing can go wrong."

But Diaz still faces an uphill battle as the Liberal Party candidate for the Federal seat of Chifley as that seat that has been dominated by the Labor party for over 20 years.

Diaz believes he has a fighting chance this year because Chifley will count the votes from Blacktown, the suburb with the highest concentration of Filipinos. Some 10,000 Filipinos reside in the area.

"By effectively focusing on our prosperity message and maintaining a high profile image in the electorate, we can liberate the migrant community at large whose dreams and aspirations are the same as ours," Diaz’ campaign strategist, Bobby Lastica, said.

Diaz's fund raising dinner raised more than the targeted $10,000 and, since august, their fund raising efforts took more than $20,000 and still counting.

Even Diaz’ wife, Josie, was overwhelmed and she said "I can't express it, I'm really happy. The support is enormous. This really proves that we can make it because Filipinos are united."

Filipino-Australian Ramon Delgado, a staunch Diaz supporter said "it's about time that Filipinos in general have a voice in the Parliament, and I think this is the best time."


Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=5880.0