British Columbia elects first Filipino politician

MANILA, Philippines - Canada's British Columbia (BC) has recently elected its first Filipino politician, an online report said.


Rod Belleza, 57, is believed to be the first Filipino elected into BC's board of education after receiving a total of 12,414 votes, a report on BC Local News said.


A candidate from the Richmond Independent Team of Electors (RITE), he was reportedly all smiles after the final results flashed on a computer monitor last weekend.


Belleza said that the result was "overwhelming."


"I share the passion, I share the desire to serve the people — bringing the board closer to the people," he said in the report. Belleza immigrated to Canada in 1980.


The newly elected board member said that healthier, safer schools are big on his agenda.


Moreover, he said he wants to see a school program aimed at developing life skills and leadership in its students.


Joining him on the school board are his RITE running mates Chak Au and Carol Day.Meanwhile, those re-elected were Linda McPhail, Donna Sargent, Grace Tsang, and Debbie Tablotney.