Filipino-American Club of the Jersey Shore, Monmouth County, New Jersey, filamorg.com

Many Filipinos and Filipino-Americans are wondering if President-elect Barack Obama might consider appointing an outstanding American of Filipino descent to the White House, to a cabinet or sub-cabinet post or to a federal office.... 

Not many Filipino-Americans have achieved the stature of these public sector leaders, but consider Benjamin Cayetano, born in Pangasinan, who was elected governor of the state of Hawaii in 1994. David Valderama is the first Fil-Am to be elected to the Maryland state legislature. Steve Austria served in the Ohio state congress.

Lt. Gen. Antonio Taguba impressed US senators with his hard-hitting and solid testimony on the El-Ghraib prisons scandal. Lt. Gen. Edward Soriano commanded a major US Army military base. Many Fil-Ams have risen to officers’ rank in the US Navy, which employs more than 20,000 Filipinos.

Dr. Jorge Garcia is acknowledged as one of the top surgeons in the United States. Dr. Connie Mariano, also an admiral in the US Navy, was personal physician to President Bill Clinton.

Maria Mabilangan-Haley has served as White House aide and director of the US Import-Export Bank. The No. 1 culinary expert in the US is Cristeta Comerford, “commander in chef” at 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Among the prominent Filipino-Americans the next administration may consider are Gloria Caoile, executive director of the powerful American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; Irene Bueno, deputy assistant for legislation in the Department of Health and Human Services; and Paula Bagasao, USAID senior policy adviser.

Experienced, highly educated Filipino-American professionals are serving in the federal and state governments, multinational organizations, the United Nations, world financial institutions and policy think tanks. If the new US president casts a wider net, he will find a deep pool Filipino Americans.

America is a nation of immigrants that rewards talent, experience and work ethics. The nomination of deserving and qualified-Americans is a good start for an administration that celebrates hope and change."