Sections FilVets' Lobby Senate Committee Approves FilVets Bill
| Senate Committee Approves FilVets Bill |
The News UpFront: (TOP STORY) as of Thursday, 28 June 2007
~~ The future looks promising for the remaining Filipino World War veterans in the Philippines and in the United States as the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved a special set of benefits for them. A lengthy discussion is expected when the legislation goes to the full Senate.
A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE
Bill Providing Benefits for Filipino War Veterans Up for Full Senate Debate
By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
SAN DIEGO - The United States government moved closer to bestowing justice on hapless Filipino veterans as the bill providing for their benefits hurdled a committee in the Senate and now goes to the floor for discussion.
The committee's decision to report out the bill on Wednesday was already a significant milestone in that for the first time in one-and-a half decade, the prospect of correcting over 60 years of injustice appears within grasp.
"For the first time ever in history," an elated Philippine Ambassador Willy C. Gaa said in Washington, DC, "the important contribution of Filipino veterans of the last World War is now being officially recognized by a US legislative enactment".
After the bruising war in the Pacific theatre, the surviving veterans continued to wage another battle in the US Congress, this one more painful as it involves restoring respect and dignity as fighting men which the Rescission Act of 1946 had taken away from them.
Thousands of veterans in the US and in the Philippines stand to profit from the omnibus benefits bill (S. 1315 or Veterans Benefits and Emoluments Act) that provides a special set of entitlements, according to Gaa.
News reports from Capitol Hill said the committee chaired by Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) marked out the bill conferring full veterans status to Filipino veterans for full Senate discussion.
"Our country owes a debt of gratitude to the Filipino veterans and this measure will not only remedy a long-standing injustice but fulfill our Nation's promises to those who served as part of our Armed Forces," Akaka said.
The features of the bill, as reported by Ado Paglinawan, a former official of the Philippine Embassy who witnessed the event, are as follows:
Restores full veterans status to Filipino veterans of World War II who lost this status under the Rescission Acts of 1946.
Pays Filipino veterans of World War II who suffer from disabilities incurred or aggravated by military service with service-connected compensation at the full rate, regardless of where they live.
Permits Filipino veterans of World War II and survivors residing in the United States to receive pensions and death pensions paid at the same rate and under the same conditions as U.S. veterans.
Provides Filipino veterans of World War II residing outside of the United States a special pension and death pension paid at a lower flat rate which does not require documentation of income, assets, and medical expenses.
"With this bill’s eventual passage to law, thousands of Filipino veterans living in the Philippines are set to receive benefits, and more importantly, the US Government’s recognition for their courage and valor while heeding the call of President Franklyn Roosevelt to join in the war effort," Gaa said. # # #
BREAKING NEWS -
Issue No. 41 NEWS WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR
A community service of the Philippine Village Voice (
or at 619.265.0611) for the information and better understanding of the public.
In a message dated 6/28/2007 6:59:39 AM Pacific Daylight Time, NIC MUSICO writes:
Aloha all:
We believe the 3,200 mentioned by former Rep. Ed Case refer only those veterans processed in Hawaii and stayed in Hawaii. We estimated 5,000 total processed for citizenship in our state. As a volunteer, I managed two of the shelters where veterans initially stayed. There were 80 to 100 veterans in the shelters every day and their average stay was two weeks before being released to the community. One of the shelters was operated for a year. We believe about 2,000 are still living in Hawaii.
Still long ways to go before the Veterans Equity is realized. We know that in some quarters the excitement is high as if the job is already done. We are also thankful to all who lobbied to persuade members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to support Sen. Inouye's bill. Our veterans and supporters here in Hawaii continued to lobby very hard although not widely known. It does not really matter because to us the goal is to pass the bill, not to claim credit as we sometimes read in messages in this forum. Our veterans and supporters in Hawaii learned over the years not to get involved in the mix of credit-seeking individuals and groups, but to remain focused on the mission.
Our veterans were advised yesterday morning from Sen. Akaka's office to continue the lobbying effort. We hope others will also do so.
Mahalo,
Nic Musico
Honolulu
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Dear Nic:
Aloha.
We have taken the initiative of posting in the www.mabuhayradio.com your comments after the Romy Marquez' article about the Senate Committee's approval of the FilVets Bill, as spearheaded by the distinguished senators from the Great State of Hawaii. The Filipino-American community, especially the scions of WWII veterans like me, will never forget the sacrifices of the Filipino-Hawaiian leaders and the political leaders of Hawaii in pushing the FilVets Bill.
Our www.mabuhayradio.com will post today an exposé about how some NaFFAA national executive officers (NEOs) hijacked the National Alliance for Veterans' Equity (NAFVE) and are using it to do fundraising, the proceeds of which will never be accounted (again, as per modus operandi of the NaFFAA controlling clique). Yes, we will expose the evil work of these "credit-seeking individuals and groups" who want to profit from the veterans' lobby at the expense of the veterans themselves and their well-meaning supporters. The public must not permit these NaFFAA NEOs to do their racket (when they do not even play tennis).
So, please go to the www.mabuhayradio.com and read our exposé.
Mabuhay and Mahalo,
Bobby M. Reyes
Editor
www.mabuhayradio.com
Hats off to Senator D. K. Akaka for his caring for Filipino Veterans. Should the bill be passed, the Filipino veterans must give all the respect and gratitude to another man who was in the forefront to champion their cause.
With the features of the bill as reflected in Breaking News, certainly the Filipino veterans will be adequately recognized and compensated for fighting side by side with their brothers American during World War II with as much fervor and valor.
Thank you for this informative and very encouraging news coverage.
V.M. CRISOLOGO
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