Hontiveros to join Fil-Am leaders in PH Independence Day forum

Sen. Risa Hontiveros will join Filipino American elected officials in a town hall meeting and civic leadership forum celebrating the 126th Philippine Independence Day in Artesia, California, on June 14.

Sponsored by the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA ) – Greater Los Angeles Region, the event will be held at the Albert O. Little Community Center West Auditorium at 18750 Clarkdale Avenue, Artesia, CA from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Speakers include Hontiveros, Artesia City Councilmember and former Mayor Melissa Ramoso, and former Cerritos City Mayor Mark Pulido.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros

Sen. Hontiveros is known for her work in promoting public health, the rights of women and other marginalized groups, and the welfare of the Filipino family. She was first elected to the Senate in 2016, and was re-elected in 2022.

Hontiveros has championed 25 landmark laws, including the historic Expanded Maternity Leave Law, which gives working moms 105 days of paid maternity leave, and the Mental Health Law, which provides the first legal framework for mental health care in the country.

She led the Senate probe into the “pastillas” scam involving personnel of the Bureau of Immigration and currently leads the joint investigation into Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo’s alleged links to a massive POGO site in her municipality.

Artesia Councilmember and former Mayor Melissa Ramoso

Ramoso has represented federal and state legislators in serving their constituents for almost 20 years. She currently serves as district director to Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, coordinating a district office to help residents voice their opinions, access resources and improve their communities.

As mayor of Artesia, Ramoso balanced the city budgets for four straight years, making fiscally prudent decisions. She strengthened partnership with exceptional city employees to improve and expand city services. She also worked to make City Hall more transparent and accessible.

Former Cerritos Mayor Mark Pulido

Pulido was elected mayor of Cerritos in 2014 and re-elected to the City Council in 2015. He served as mayor pro tem in 2017 and again as mayor in 2018.

He has an extensive history of local community service and professional work experience in local, state and federal government. Pulido served as deputy chief of staff for Congressman Alan Lowenthal and worked for the California Legislature for more than a decade.