House Okays Bill Minus RP Vets Pension
October 1, 2008
Written by News Team, in Articles/Stories
Lump Sum May Be Alternative
By Rodney J. Jaleco & Jennie Ilustre
WASHINGTON D.C. – The House of Representatives on Sept. 22 overwhelmingly approved by voice vote the Veterans Benefit Enhancement Act (S 1315) but without the controversial provision providing monthly pension for Filipino veterans of World War II.
The pension provision for Filipino veterans was removed to pave the way for the bill’s approval in the House. Both Republicans and some Democrats have opposed it because funds for the pension would come from outlays that are already being given to American veterans.
Filner’s lump sum bill, which passed Sept. 23 by a vote of 392 to 23, may yet be incorporated into S 1315 in place of pensions. Some knowledgeable supporters of the veterans who are privy to inside information are already claiming victory. In fact, Rep. Filner had already “congratulated” the Filipino veterans present during the passage of S 1315.
Soon after the votes, Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), chairman of the Senate committee on veterans affairs, sought to proceed with a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the differences in the bills approved by both houses. But Republican Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), ranking minority member of the committee, opposed it.. Akaka said he is “disappointed but not surprised by the latest effort to obstruct progress” on the bill.
In a statement hours after HR 6897 was passed, the Philippine embassy said: “It is our belief that any further action will be taken in a much improved atmosphere for dialogue. H.R. 6897 shows that there is strong
bipartisan support for our veterans and a willingness to fund their cause.”
The main stumbling block in the original S 1315 was the funding for the pension for Filipino veterans in the US and in the Philippines.
Filner explained that the House version of S.1315 was stripped of features with mandatory spending to assure smooth passage. Under the House policy of pay as you go, bills with mandatory spending must identify sources such as new money, or an offset from another bill.
Both the Senate and House have to complete action on the bill before adjournment. The bicameral conference committee report will first have to be approved by both houses before it is send to President George W. Bush for signature into law. The President had earlier promised to sign such a bill if presented to him.
Approval of the bill and its signing into law will bring to a successful closure more than 60 years of fighting by the Filipino veterans of World War II and their supporters for justice. Since the end of the war, they have been waging a struggle to obtain recognition and benefits that were deprived them by Congress when it passed the Rescission Act of 1946.
While some have expressed disappointment over the Filner-Issa lump sum payment measure, others who knew about the strategy have already been wringing their hands in victory.
“S 1315 is alive and well,” declared Eric Lachica, executive director of the American Coalition of Filipino Veterans. Lachica and other veterans lobbyists took part in Ambassador Willy C. Gaa’s meetings with Sen. Akaka and Rep. Filner. “Ang sabi ni Senator Akaka, focus on S-1315. We have a very good chance of having it passed,” he said.
The Senate voted 96-1 to approve S-1315 last April. It was the farthest the Filipino veterans equity bill has ever gone. The bill aims to reverse the 1946 Rescission Act that stripped Filipino soldiers who served under the US Armed Forces during World War II of their veteran status.
Deputy Chief of Mission Carlos Sorreta praised Speaker
Nancy Pelosi (D, CA). for scheduling S.1315 for a floor vote days
before the scheduled adjournment of the 110th Congress.
Under the approved Senate version with the pension provision, some
6,000 Filipino and Filipino American WWII veterans residing in the U.S.
will receive $911 a month. The proposed monthly pension for about 12,000 of their Philippine-based counterparts is $300. The bill also proposed $75 a month to veterans’ spouse.
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my father in law is very ill ,how can he get all of all benifits he have to get?can send us in details on how we can process all the documents need to avail the lump sum and the monthly pension.
He is a USAFE vet.was already been in the US 1996 holding a US passport .
Thank very much for your soonest reply,
Danilo C Banal
My father was a USAFE war veteran during the Japanese occupation. He was also in the famous death march side by side the US soldiers. My father and mother are both deceased. Can i claim the same benefits of becoming a US citizen even if my father is already deceased. I know that my father could have but chose not to.