San Francisco Filipino American Community Issues Statement on Resignation of Supervisor Alcaraz: Profound Disappointment, Reiterated Resilience, and a Call for Authentic Partnership with Mayor Lurie
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Former San Francisco Supervisor Beya Alcaraz
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – November 25, 2025 – Civic, cultural, and business leaders of San Francisco’s Filipino American community expressed their deep disappointment and reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to authentic representation following the resignation of Supervisor Beya Alcaraz.
For generations, our community has strived for a voice, too often marginalized in the annals of San Francisco's history. We remember the Manong farm laborers who toiled without recognition; the Filipino WWII veterans whose valor was initially denied; the immigrant residents of the I-Hotel whose homes were bulldozed; and the Filipino residents of the Yerba Buena neighborhood whose vibrant community was displaced, all without adequate representation.
The appointment of Beya Alcaraz as the first Filipino American Supervisor represented a monumental step forward, a historic milestone that held immense symbolic importance for Filipino American representation in local politics. It signified that our community had finally gained the voice and representation it had tirelessly pursued over decades. Her swift resignation, amid controversy, has deeply impacted the Filipino American community's history, legacy, and collective psyche. It has cast a shadow over the legacies of other qualified Filipino American “firsts,” including Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Assemblymember Jessica Caloza, School Board Trustee Hydra Mendoza, City College Trustee Rodel Rodis, as well as the 33,000 Filipino residents in San Francisco:
● Symbolic Setback: Her short-lived tenure as Supervisor marked an unexpected reversal at a moment that once symbolized significant progress, disheartening many who envisioned a new era of political empowerment.
●Damage to Community Pride and Trust: Questions surrounding her appointment have affected perceptions of Filipino American leadership's credibility, generating frustration and discouragement within our community.
● Psyche and Legacy Impacts: This episode underscores the intense scrutiny public officials face and risks fostering a sense of vulnerability among Filipino Americans stepping into high-visibility leadership roles
● Broader Political Implications: The controversy has raised serious concerns about the mayoral administration’s vetting process and political accountability, potentially deepening mistrust in local government and complicating future efforts to advance Filipino American political empowerment.
However, let it be unequivocally clear: Beya Alcaraz may have been the first, but she will not be the last. We acknowledge the immense pressure placed on a young person subjected to such scrutiny. The Filipino American community is resilient, and we are determined to rise stronger than ever. This experience strengthens our resolve to build robust pathways for future leaders who are prepared, well-vetted, and deeply connected to our community's values and needs.
We appreciate the opportunity to have met with Mayor Daniel Lurie and to convey our concerns directly. We remain hopeful for the Mayor's continued support for our community.
We urge the Mayor's administration to learn from this experience and to adopt a genuinely rigorous, inclusive, and community-informed approach moving forward.
The Filipino American community stands ready to partner with the Mayor and all city leaders to ensure that future appointments truly reflect the diversity, talent, and readiness of our city's communities. We are committed to a San Francisco where every voice is not just heard, but authentically represented, and where our shared future is built on trust, integrity, and meaningful inclusion.
Respectfully submitted by (titles for identification purposes only):
Kevin Benedicto
Vice President, SF Police Commission
Jaena Rae Cabrera
Librarian and Community Advocate
Rudy Corpuz
Violence Prevention and Youth Development Advocate
Rob Chua
Community Organizer and Pistahan Parade Director
Franco Finn
Entrepreneur and Community Advocate
Daz Lamparas
APALA-SF President Emeritus
Labor Activist and Community Organizer
Carla Laurel
Youth, Senior, Family, and Community Advocate
Lorenzo Listana
Homelessness, Affordable Housing, and Community Development Worker
Juslyn Manalo
Chair Emeritus, Filipino American Caucus of the CA Democratic Party
Lourdes Moldre
President, Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California
Marily Mondejar
Founder and CEO, Filipina Women’s Network
Michael Gumban Pangilinan
Vice President, Filipino American Democratic Club of San Francisco
Jose Pecho
Small Business and Community Development Advocate
Al Perez
President, Filipino American Arts Exposition
Marjan Philhour
Second Vice Chair, San Francisco Democratic Party
President, Filipino American Democratic Club of San Francisco
Franklin M. Ricarte
Founder and CEO, Kalesa Foundation
Rex Tabora
Community Advocate and SFPD API Forum Board Member
Gabriel Young
Northern California Region President, National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA)
