Why ABC Vancouver's move to fast-track Filipino cultural centre project is continuing to spur intense debate

'There's some people trying to sabotage the process, because they have other projects of their own,' said Vancouver developer Tobi Reyes, who wants to build a hotel and Filipino cultural centre. 'But we have a bigger goal in mind here, and we'll do our best to unify'

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Days after Vancouver city council voted to fast-track a proposal for a hotel and Filipino cultural centre in Mount Pleasant, questions continue to be raised about financial issues related to the property and owner, and another proposal to build a different centre in south Vancouver shows no signs of slowing down.

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It is a messy situation that has spurred intense debate within a community still dealing with the aftermath of the deadly car-ramming attack at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in April.

At a meeting last week, every ABC Vancouver council member voted to approve a motion from Mayor Ken Sim and Coun. Lenny Zhou, directing staff to prioritize the 30-storey hotel-and-cultural centre project and explore amending public view-protection policies to enable a taller building than current rules allow.

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The four non-ABC councillors abstained, saying while they want to see a Filipino cultural centre built, they were uncomfortable voting one way or the other on what they described as an unusual motion.

The council vote followed a long and often

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