Pamintuan bows out of UFO

Due to family and business obligations, United Filipino Organization president Rolando Pamintuan has voluntarily stepped down from his post effective end of April this year.

“My schedule now is really tight so I needed to resign,” said Pamintuan in an interview yesterday.

He said that his family business requires more focus from him at this time as it would require him to go off-island for a month or two.

At the same time, he has to accompany one of his children to the United States this summer to prepare for school.

“I’m not really staying there. Saipan is where my business is,” he said.

Pamintuan, together with his wife Ruby Rose, own and manage RP Enterprises and RP Construction.

He said he initially opted to go on leave from the UFO but decided to turn in his resignation altogether since “it would be unfair to the other officers who are working hard.”

Besides, he believes that there are people who can ably take over the position.

“UFO consists of leaders from different Filipino organizations,” he said.

Pamintuan has already finished the first year of his two-year term at UFO.

Before his election in April 2005, Pamintuan had served as UFO vice president for two years.

He said he has been actively involved in UFO activities since 1997.

Pamintuan, a civil engineer, came to Saipan in 1990 as a contract worker.

In 1997, he began his own business in general construction and apartment rentals.

Rewarding experience

Pamintuan said UFO activities have been part of his family for almost a decade.

His wife, Ruby Rose, used to be the organization’s public relations officer.

She is currently a member of its advisory council

“It’s a rewarding experience. I’ve learned a lot from them especially from the officers. They are good leaders. They are very helpful,” he said.

“We thank UFO. It’s not just the two of us but also our kids are part of the organization’s activities. They spend most of their extra time with UFO,” he said.

Pamintuan said he is also grateful to the entire Filipino community, the Consulate General, and various organizations, which he said are always willing to extend assistance when needed.

He encouraged the UFO to continue with its community service activities.

“I’d say we have a balanced approach. We are not only focused on Filipino community projects but also other projects in the CNMI,” he said.

Pamintuan said the organization has done outreach programs for the local schools, the man’amko, and the NMI-American Red Cross, among others.

In general, Filipino organizations in the CNMI have exemplified good Filipino values of volunteerism and compassion, he said.

Pamintuan said UFO’s acting president now is Corie Borja. (Liberty Dones)