Vets push approval of stalled equity bill
November 4, 2007
WASHINGTON D.C. - Both the Democratic-controlled House and Senate have been sitting on the Filipino veterans equity bill which their veterans affairs committees approved four months ago.
Senate Veterans Affairs Committee chair Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii)and his counterpart in the House, Rep. Bob Filner (D-California), are reported to be negotiating with the leadership to bring the equity bill to the floor for debate and final passage. But Filner said he is waiting for Akaka to take the lead on this issue.
The momentum to pass the equity bill has slowed down since its passage by the House and Senate committees in June and July, respectively. The House bill would provide Filipino veterans of World War II a monthly disability pension of $300 while that of the Senate $100 a month. If passed, an estimated 7,000 veterans now in the US and 12,000 in the Philippines will be eligible for the disability pension benefits.
Eric Lachica, executive director of the American Coalition of Filipino Veterans (ACFV), said the problem is the usual reluctance of members of Congress to appropriate substantial funds for foreign disbursement. The estimated annual appropriations of $300 million to fund the bill has failed to elicit the support of Republicans in both chambers.
Lachica said ACFV is willing to accept a compromise of $200 a month instead of the proposed $300 a month in the House bill and the $100 in the Senate version.
Lachica said veterans are planning to stage a weekly vigil to bring their case to the attention of the public in Washington D.C.
In San Francisco, members of ACFV said it would resort to drastic measures if Congress does not make any move to act on the bill soon.
Hunger strike and protest, said Franco Arcebal of ACFV in front of large number of Filipino WWII veterans, widows and supporters at the Lake Street Park. We are also going to do a weekly vigil until October 31.
If the group does not see any positive developments by October 31, ACFV plans to do a mass rally in Washington DC.
Weve been waiting for too long, said Arcebal.
As weve done in the past, were going to show the American public and political powers that they need to pass this bill,” added Lachica.
AT the California meeting recently, Nick Gadia, dressed in his army uniform, said we would like to see the bill arrive by the end of this year. I have been waiting for 60 years,” said Victor Velasco. I dont know if Ill be able to live to get my benefits.
During the meeting Arcebal announced the death Oct. 14 of Lt. Mariano Loria. Loria, he said, attended every Filipino WWII functions and even wrote letters to Philippine Arroyo and Rep. Filner about the plight of the Filipino veterans.
Time is literally running out, said Mike Nailat, Outreach Coordinator of Search to Involve Filipino Americans. They [WWII veterans] are going to continue to pass away.”
Meanwhile, students of San Jose, California State University held a candlelight vigil Oct. 18 to honor Filipino veterans who served in World War II, according to Michell Horton.
The people united will never be defeated, chanted marching participants. We just want to let them know that theyre recognized for what they fought for in their struggles, said Karen Tanquilut, a junior engineering major and a member of Akbayan Pilipino Club, a Filipino-American organization at SJSU. Were still fighting for them to have their full equity and to have recognition.”
The event was a collaboration of members from Akbayan, Alpha Kappa Omega, Kappa Psi Epsilon, Sons and Daughters of the Archipelago and Mabuhay Cultural Club of Independence High School, Tanquilut said.
I feel empowered, said Phil Temple, a sophomore nursing major who participated in the event. We got to get our voice heard.
Daniel Agcaoili, a sophomore biology major and member of Alpha Kappa Omega, said Its always good getting in touch with your roots. It brings back the pride in your culture within yourself.”
John Hom, a sophomore illustration major and also a member of Alpha Kappa Omega, said he felt great about the event. It makes me feel proud to be Filipino, Hom said. I wanted to start yelling at the end.
The participants of the candlelight vigil started their march at the Student Union Amphitheater and ended it at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, Tanquilut said.
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