Senate passes resolution thanking US Congress
for Filipino veterans' benefits

The Philippine Senate has approved a resolution expressing gratitude to the United States (US) Congress for passing the $787-billion stimulus bill which contains provisions granting recognition and benefits to Filipino World War II (WWII) veterans.

Resolution 890, sponsored by Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon, expressed the Senate's gratitude to the US Congress for the approval of the Conference Report on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which provides $198 million for the benefit of eligible Filipino veterans.

"The end of decades-long suffering of our veterans is now within reach. Therefore, we must thank the US Congress for giving due recognition and honor to Filipino veterans who fought along side American soldiers in WWII," he said.

"Through the years, veterans and community organizations supported this effort. They deserve our gratitude. We also thank our champions in the US Congress," he added, referring to, to name a few: Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Bob Filner, among others.

US President Barack Obama is set to sign into law on Wednesday the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which contained the Filipino Veterans' Equity provision that provided a tax-free $15,000 for each of the Filipino veterans who are US citizens and $9,000 for each of non-US citizens, mostly living in the Philippines.

The Filipino veterans who fought with American soldiers during WWII were given American nationals status by then US President Franklin Roosevelt. But the enactment of the Rescission Acts of 1946 took away such status as well as prevented the Filipino veterans from receiving benefits which were previously granted them.

Since then, Filipino veterans have been fighting for more than six decades for the restoration of their honor and recognition of their dignity as soldiers who fought with the Americans during WWII.

Previous administrations, starting from former President Elpidio Quirino, including Philippine Ambassadors to the US , have continuously exerted collective efforts for the realization of this goal.

In June 2007, members of the US Congress expressed their support for the passage of a legislative measure reversing the ill effects of the Rescission Acts of 1946.

However, they were concerned that the passage of the bill would revoke the benefits presently granted to the veterans from the Philippine government, as provided under Republic Act (RA) 6948, or An Act Standardizing the Benefits for Military Veterans and their Dependents.

To remedy this, Gordon authored Senate Bill 142 which President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed into law on April 9, 2008 and logged as RA 9499 or on April 9, 2008, which effectively amends RA 6948, or An Act Standardizing and Upgrading the Benefits for Military Veterans and their Dependents.

He also lobbied in the US Senate and the US House of Representatives for the passage of an equity bill which could remove much of the stain and dishonor done by the US government to the dignity and true sacrifices of Filipino WWII veterans and of the Philippines as a nation.

Gordon stressed that more than any financial consideration, the passage of the bill gives justice to the Filipino veterans who, out of 66 countries that fought with the US in WWII, were the only ones not given recognition for their contributions and accorded US veterans status.

"The monetary benefit for our WWII veterans is only symbolic. What is more important is that through the passage of the bill, the US government finally honored the heroism and valor of our veterans who gave four strenuous and painful years fighting against the Japanese invaders under the American flag," he said.