Filipino-British Gene Alcantara is running as an independent candidate for a seat in the House of Commons in the United Kingdom Parliament.

Seeking to represent the newly created Hampstead and Kilburn constituency in Northwest London, Alcantara has been working in London as an immigration adviser for almost 20 years now and has worked for the British Council, promoting British culture and education overseas.

Alcantara said on his website that his platform includes representation of migrant workers and defending the rights of legal immigrants and ethnic minorities, but advocating tighter border and immigration controls.

He said that while his immigration and journalistic works are fulfilling, he realized that he would be of greater service and impact if he is in an elected position, giving voice to people who have not been heard of.

“This is my vision – that one day, we will elect British-Filipinos into positions of power in the UK and the bigger arena of Europe; that we will be seen as major participants in European and world affairs; that we will no longer be ignored, but seen as equal partners in achieving social and economic progress,” he said on his website.

“Of course, this needs cultural transformation on our part and greater open-mindedness on the part of policy-makers. This is why I am running for office,” he stressed.

Alcantara ran for the European Parliament in 2009. He is also one of the co-founders of a website, www.onefilipinovote.org, aimed at informing and reminding all Filipino voters, here and abroad, to make “sensible” and “conscientious” decisions in who to vote for this May 10 polls.

UK will hold its elections on May 6.