Following is the full text of Dr. Lorica’s letter to the Mail:

Like the majority of the PMA members, I have been extremely disappointed and saddened by the recent events that have disrupted our organization.  To date, the PMA President still maintains that the proper way to address grievances is not by waging a public smear campaign that only ends up tarnishing the entire organization. This is a PMA matter, and as such should be resolved within the PMA. Nevertheless, now that the matter is in the newspapers, I am sure that most members of the PMA as well as the community would like to know the truth surrounding all this controversy. Rather than dealing with rumors and innuendo here are the facts<D>:

The Energy Ball – The Energy Ball was a success in terms of the attendees’ total experience as well as the total profit yield. As co-chair of the Energy Ball, I helped prepare the financial report  that has been ready to be presented since the March 18, 2006 Board of Director’s Meeting.  However, Dr. Goodman’s supporters demanded that the report be given by the treasurer and refused to hear the updated financial report from the president and myself (the chairs of the Energy Ball). The following are the pertinent dates when Energy Ball reports were submitted or worked on:

a) On January 15, 2006, an up-to-date preliminary financial report was             given to the Board of Directors.

b.) On January 17, 2006 we worked on updating the advertisement and greeting list w/ Dr. Ellen and Vic Carag during a meeting at our home arranged by Mrs. Annie Fangonil.

 c.) On April 12, 2006, we worked on reconciling the list of pre-paid attendees and the registration list with Dr. Jovy and Jun Eusebio and Mrs. Annie Fangonil at our home.

 d.) On April 23, 2006, copies of the checks, bank statements, list of prepaid attendees, list of advertising revenue, deposit slips and souvenir program receivables were given to Dr. Goodman on April 23 at the Palm restaurant and

 e.) On May 20, 2006, a final accounting was given by myself as chair of the Energy Ball and Dr. Goodman at Umberto’s Restaurant

Therefore, I believe that Dr. Stuart Goodman has all the records necessary to complete a full accounting of the  Energy ball.

The accusation that “Dr. Victor Lorica opened a new PMA bank account at the Bank of America making himself the only signer in the account” is false. In reality, Dr. Stuart Goodman, the treasurer, is also a      signatory as required by the PMA Constitution.  Attached is a copy of the Bank     Signatory Sheets with Stuart Goodman’s signature.  

On February 1. 2006, the treasurer, Dr. Goodman resigned.  On March 1, prior to going out of town, the President wrote a check in the amount of $3,582.  As the executive director, I negotiated a new amount resulting in a $778 savings to the organization.  As executive director, I wrote a check for the new negotiated amount of $2,804.   I later apologized to the PMA membership for writing the new check without the President’s signature. Under Article VIII.3.C of the constitution, “The Executive Director shall manage the central office and the day-to-day affairs of the Association.  He shall perform the duties of general manager and such other duties as may be designated by the President or the Board of Directors.  It is regrettable that Dr. Goodman and his supporters chose to assume the worst  when in fact, a human error with good intent is all that happened.

Dr. Victor Lorica wrote the check for $5,800 to the Fairview Park Marriot on  March  8, 2006 after Dr. Jovy Eusebio pleaded with him for weeks that she needed to secure the venue for the upcoming New Year’s Eve Ball.  She claimed that there was a deadline to be met, and Dr. Goodman had resigned at that time. The PMA Constitution gives the President the same authority to issue checks as the Treasurer.  Article VIII.1.C.(1) states that “He (the president) will have authority to sign disbursements of the Association as also the authority vested to the Treasurer of the Association.  Although the constitution requires that the Treasurer has to have disbursements over $1,000  co-signed by the President, the constitution does not limit the amount that the President can write. Under Article XI.C “ The Treasurer may disburse up to a maximum of $1,000.00.   Any disbursement exceeding this amount shall be co-signed by the President”.

With regards to my controversial appointment as Executive Director, which according to your last article  was “in violation of the charter” the fact is that the constitution of the PMA does NOT require  the executive director to be a past president.  It is noteworthy to mention that upon the resignation of Dr. Nan Wilson as President-Elect in June 2004, both Dr. Goodman and Dr. Gancayco immediately asked me to consider taking on the position of President-Elect. However, I declined for family health reasons. Therefore, both Dr. Goodman and Dr. Gancayco have previously acknowledged my capabilities as a PMA leader.

 I firmly believe that an independent audit of the organization’s financial records, as required by the constitution should be done.  This will help restore the good name of the organization, as well as the members and officers who have served the organization well.

I am respectfully requesting that my letter will be  published in it’s entirety.

Arlene Marie A. Lorica, M.D.