Gaa cites overdue benefits to RP vets

April 18, 2008  --  Got something to say?
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WASHINGTON D.C. – Philippine Ambassador to the US Willy C. Gaa April 9 recalled the services and sacrifices of World War II Filipino veterans who have not been accorded the “recognition and benefits” due them for defending the cause of freedom and democracy.

In a statement issued on the “Araw ng Kagitingan” (Day of Valor), the ambassador reiterated his commitment and determination to help Filipino veterans “achieve that what is long overdue to them, recognition and benefits for their sacrifices and services.” Their services, he added, “are as relevant as the services and sacrifices of younger generations of veterans fighting and defending the cause of freedom and democracy today.” (Related story)

Meanwhile, believing that they can influence the US Congress into passing the equity bill, a new delegation of congressmen arrived here April 12 “to lobby for the passage of the Filipino Veterans’ Equity Bill in the US Congress.” The Filipino legislators, led by Zambales Rep. Antonio Diaz, chair of the House committee on veterans’ affairs, said they are to meet key American legislators and call on an estimated four million Americans of Filipino ancestry to help push the bill.

Rep. Rufino Biazon said “being an election year, we are hoping that Americans of Filipino ancestry — estimated at about four million — will make themselves felt so that candidates and parties will not just ignore us,” said Biazon, vice chair of the House committee on national defense. With them are Rep. Roman Romulo, and Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina of the Philippine Veterans’ Affairs Office and a representative from the Veterans’ Federation of the Philippines.

Ambassador Gaa, in another statement, hailed the signing of a bill by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Manila to ensure that Filipino WW II veterans will continue to receive benefits from the Philippine government even if the US Congress approves the Filipino veterans’ equity bill. The equity bill seeks to provide benefits to Filipino WW II veterans.

Filipino veterans and their supporters gathered in the nation’s capital in a last-ditch effort to lobby for the passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity bill which has been stalled in the Senate. The bill is aimed at providing benefits to the Filipino WW II veterans in the US and in the Philippines.

“What we recall on this day,” he said, “is not the success of the overwhelming forces of the enemy but the gallantry and courage of the Filipino and American defenders.”

He continued: “For long months, Filipino soldiers valiantly and tenaciously stood their ground and fought with uncommon valor, side by side with American soldiers in fending off the foreign invaders; fighting for their homeland; and fighting for the cause of liberty, justice and democracy. Outnumbered, running out of supplies and ammunition, and with no reinforcements coming to their relief, they fought on.

“Today we once again pay tribute to the courage and loyalty of these of our World War II veterans and those who have gone before them, whose gallant stand on Bataan serves to remind us of the value of freedom and democracy.

“Their gallant stand echoes through the decades and reminds us that sacrifices must sometimes be made to defend and protect these principles. As we face various threats to our democratic way of life, this reminder and lesson from the past is as timely today as it was during the dark days of World War II.”

In another statement, the ambassador hailed the signing by President Arroyo in Manila on April 9 of a law that “would ensure that Filipino World War II veterans will continue to receive Philippine Government pensions and benefits even if the U.S. government eventually passes legislation that would finally recognize the services of these veterans and provide them with just compensation and benefits.”

The law amends a provision in (R.A.) 6498 which stipulates that benefits being provided by the Philippine Government to Filipino World War II veterans will be withdrawn if the U.S. government grants similar benefits. This amendment, introduced by Sen. Richard Gordon, will now ensure that in the event of the passage of a U.S. Filipino Veterans Equity Bill, Filipino veterans will continue to receive benefits from the Philippine Government in addition to the benefits that they will be receive from the U.S. government.

Gaa said this would show the US government that the Philippines would continue to share its obligation to the veterans with the US government by continuing to provide the benefits that they currently receive.
The ambassador pointed out that during Gordon’s visit to Washington last year, he assured American solons that he would file a bill to make sure the Philippine government will continue to honor its commitment to the Filipino veterans.

Filipino veterans of World War II and the supporters marked the 66th anniversary of Bataan Day here by continuing to lobby in Congress for the passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity bill which is pending in Congress.
Dubbed the Bataan Day of Valor, the aging veterans and their supporters visited the offices of senators and congressmen in a last-ditch effort to persuade senators to approve the bill. The measure, which was approved last year by the Democratic-controlled veterans affairs committees of both Houses, has been stalled in the Senate because of the opposition of key Republican senators. The House has not brought it to the floor because it was waiting for the Senate to act on it first.

In the afternoon of April 9, two aging veterans - Pat Ganio, 87, American Coalition of Filipino Veterans (ACFV) president of Jacksonville FL and Jesse Baltazar, 87, of Falls Church VA - led their comrades from NJ, NY, PA, MD, DC and Philippine Embassy officials to visit congressional offices.

On April 7 a big crowd attended the screening of an inspiring video documentary of Margaret Lacson-Ecarma: “In Servitude with Honor and Dignity” followed by a reception fundraiser at the Human Rights Forum in Washington D.C.

While many Filipino and Asian American groups, political leaders, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) have all thrown their support and lobbied hard to press Congress to act on the bill, the opposition raise by the Republicans to appropriating funds for the few remaining veterans in the Philippines prevented the Senate from passing the bill.

The assurances of Congressional leaders that they will support the passage of the bill have not been translated into concrete action. In the Philippines, meanwhile, political leaders have also raised false hopes among the surviving veterans that they will soon receive the benefits that they have waited for more than 60 years.

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