Rules Committee advances Al Perez nomination to Entertainment Commission after broad community support

The Rules Committee on Nov. 5 recommended that the Board of Supervisors consider Al Perez for appointment to the San Francisco Entertainment Commission.

Al Perez, who told the committee he is a neighborhood organizer and leader in the Filipino American community, said his volunteer work includes producing cultural events such as the Pistahon Parade and Festival and collaborating on arts and health outreach. “I would be honored to serve in the Entertainment Commission,” Perez said, summarizing nearly two decades of design and community organizing work and pledging to balance neighborhood quality of life with opportunities for local businesses.

Dozens of community leaders and organization representatives testified in support, praising Perez’s record on cultural programming, volunteerism and outreach. Speakers included former and current commissioners, nonprofit leaders and representatives of Bay Area sports franchises who described Perez’s role in raising Filipino heritage visibility and in public-health campaigns.

Supervisors pressed Perez on how he would represent neighborhood associations and whether he would maintain independence in reviewing entertainment and nightclub issues; Perez said his role would be to “advocate for the neighborhood” while weighing the needs of businesses and residents. After public comment, the committee treated the matter as a committee report and forwarded its positive recommendation to the Board.

The nomination will next be considered by the full Board of Supervisors. The committee did not hold a contested roll-call vote on the nomination during the meeting; the appointment was moved forward as part of committee action.