Contact: Carissa Villacorta
Executive Director
info@naffaa.org / 202-262-0772

For Immediate Release

NAFFAA CELEBRATES ROB BONTA AND HIS APPOINTMENT TO CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL
Rob Bonta to be the first Filipino American to serve as California's Attorney General

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 25, 2021) - The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) extends our warmest congratulations to Hon. Assemblymember Rob Bonta for being appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom as California’s next Attorney General and the first Filipino American to serve in the role. 

Mr. Bonta’s exceptional career distinguishes him from other candidates in many ways. He has been a champion for immigrant rights, women’s rights, environmental protections, health care access, and language access to voting.  He advocated for the California school curriculum to include the role that Filipino Americans played in the California Labor Movement.  He previously chaired the Assembly Health Committee, the API Legislative Caucus, and co-chaired the Assembly Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color. Mr. Bonta was also instrumental in advancing NaFFAA’s advocacy to install a contextual Bronze Plaque, which details the critical events in unknown Philippine-American history and completes the historical accuracy of the story inscribed on San Francisco’s Dewey Monument. 

Earlier in his career, Mr. Bonta served as a Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, handling complex litigation that gained him much respect from his peers and client agencies. In 2010, he became a member of the Alameda City Council, receiving the highest number of votes. As a result, he was elected to be Vice Mayor. Afterwards, Mr. Bonta ran for the California State Assembly in 2012 to represent Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro. His victory was significant, as he became the first Filipino American in all of California history to be elected to the California State Legislature.

“NaFFAA is so proud to see another Filipino American be appointed to such an honorable position. It is so important for the Filipino community, and for the whole country, to see Filipinos practice and serve on all levels of government. We need more AAPI leaders at the forefront of decision making, especially with violence against Asian Americans on the rise. Rob Bonta is a passionate and highly qualified individual, and we wish him the best of luck in his confirmation hearings,” comments Brendan Flores, National Chairman of NaFFAA. 

NaFFAA celebrates the appointment of Hon. Rob Bonta, and we wish him luck in his confirmation hearings with the California State Assembly and Senate within 90 days. If confirmed, we look forward to seeing him serve as an advocate of criminal justice reform for all Californians, even as they take a firmer stand against the rising violence against Asian Americans.

“Rob represents what makes California great — our desire to take on righteous fights and reverse systemic injustices,” said Gov. Newsom in a statement after nominating Mr. Bonta. “Most importantly, at this moment when so many communities are under attack for who they are and who they love, Rob has fought to strengthen hate crime laws and protect our communities from the forces of hate.”

About NaFFAA
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization. Established in 1997, NaFFAA promotes the welfare and well-being of the four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States. NaFFAA's vision is to serve as the voice of all Filipinos and Filipino Americans by uniting, engaging, and empowering diverse individuals and community organizations through leadership development, civic engagement, and national advocacy.
www.naffaa.org