After over six decades of struggle, Filipino WWII Veterans win ...

July 26, 1941, Presi-dent Roosevelt issues military order, calling on Filipinos to serve alongside US forces

Assured that after the war, could apply for U.S. citizenship, qual-ify for full veterans’ benefits

Over 470,000 Filipinos fought with Americans

Only 18,000 remain: 12,000 in the Philip-pines; 6,000 in the US

Rescission Act of 1946: service not rec-ognized as active mili-tary service

A f t e r o v e r s i x d e c a d e s o f s t r u g g l e F i l i p i n o W W I I v e t e r a n s w i n r e c o g n i t i o n , b e n e f i t s ; A r r o y o t h a n k s O b a m a , U S C o n g r e s s

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N e w s l e t t e r p u b l i s h e d b y t h e P h i l i p p i n e E m b a s s y f o r t h e m e m b e r s o f t h e U S - P h i l i p p i n e s C o n g r e s s i o n a l F r i e n d s h i p C a u c u s

V o l u m e 4 , I s s u e 1 J a n - F e b 2 0 0 9

C a u c u s C h r o n i c l e

I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e :

Timeline: Our Quest for Justice

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RP lawmaker thanks US Congress

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Statement of Sen. Inouye

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Statement of Rep. Filner

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Ambassador’s Corner 5

Photo Spread: Visit of Pres. Arroyo to Wash-ington, 5-6 Feb 09

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Visit heightens RP profile in new Congress

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Statement of Philippine High Officials

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Sec. 1002, Title X, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

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The long struggle for recognition and benefits by Filipino World War II veterans ended in victory with the pas-sage of the American Recov-ery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Included in this stimu-lus bill are pro-visions that rec-ognize the US military service o f F i l i p i n o World War II veterans and which grants them the bene-fits that they so justly deserve.

P re s iden t Barack Obama signed the $787 billion economic stimulus package on 17 February in ceremonies in Denver and declared that it would lay the groundwork for "real and lasting change for

generations to come." For the Philippine Gov-

ernment, the inclusion of Fili-pino veterans in the stimulus package caps over six decades of lobbying with the American government. Nine Philippine

presidents since 1946 had lob-bied vigorously for this.

President Gloria Macapa-gal-Arroyo thanked the United

States Congress for finally passing a bill that recognizes the service of Filipino World War II veterans and provides them with benefits.

A grateful President Ar-royo rejoiced at the passing of

the bill on the eve of Valentine’s Day, and thanked President Barack Obama for subse-quently signing the bill into law. The President said that she had looked forward to the signing of the stimulus bill by President Barack Obama “who has also been a strong supporter of the

Filipino Veterans Bill.” The passage of the US

stimulus bill – which contains the provisions in (page 3 pls.)

16 February 2009, Manila - The Philip-pines hopes that the process of identifying the beneficiaries under the provisions on Filipino WW II veterans in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will begin soon.

In a radio interview this morning, Execu-tive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the Philip-pines and the US have already taken initial steps to ensure that the process of identifying the beneficiaries will not encounter undue de-lays.

Ermita said officials of the US Veterans

Administration and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office have made initial contacts on how to go about identifying the beneficiaries.

The USVA is sending a representative to Manila to sort out the paperwork on the veter-ans’ claims “to start immediately the process of identifying the legitimate beneficiaries of the additional benefits,” he said.

He added, however, that identifying the legitimate beneficiaries should not take long since the US had already come up with a list in Missouri of entitled Filipino veterans .

P h i l i p p i n e s h o p e s f o r s p e e d y p r o c e s s i n g o f F i l i p i n o W W I I v e t e r a n s ' c l a i m s

F I L I P I N O W W I I V E T E R A N S President Arroyo with Senator Daniel Akaka, Senator Daniel

Inouye and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo on 5 February 2009 in Washington, a few days before Congress passed the stimulus bill. (L. Eleazar)


Timeline: Our Quest for Justice 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders the Commonwealth Army to serve under the United States Army of the Far East (USAFFE), issues Executive Order that awards Filipinos full veterans benefits if they enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. 1945 Public Law 79-190 enacted, authorizes recruitment of 50,000 “new” Philippine Scouts as local occupational forces. 1946 President Harry S. Truman signs Rescis-sion Act which disqualified the services of the Commonwealth Army or author-ized guerilla units. Services “were not to be considered as active military service for the purpose of veterans benefits” even with the acquisition of U.S. nationality. Among foreign U.S. military veterans of 66 countries, only Filipino veterans did not get full veterans benefits. 1948 U.S. Congress authorizes Veterans Af-fairs to build and equip the Veterans Me-morial Medical Center (VMMC) to pro-vide health care benefits to veterans. 1955 Veterans Memorial Medical Center turned over to the Philippine Govern-ment; given $500,000 for the next 30 years starting in the 1960s for upgrades. 1990 U.S. Naturalization Act has special provi-sion giving “Filipino World War II veter-ans the right to acquire U.S. Citizenship.” However, still not qualified for benefits. 1996 President Clinton proclaims October 20, 1996 as the day Honoring the Filipino Veterans of World War II in recognition of the courageous wartime service ren-dered by the 100,000 strong Philippine Commonwealth Army 1999 Public Law 106-109 signed, provides income based social security disability benefits to certain WWII veterans includ-ing Filipinos. 2000 Public Laws 106-377 and 106-419 signed, provides disability compensation at full statutory rates and burial benefits to Commonwealth Army veterans and

Recognized Guerilla Forces if they are permanent legal residents of the U.S. 2001 November: President Arroyo raises Filvets issue during her first official visit to Washington 2003 February: RP-US Congressional Friend-ship Caucus formed. May: President Arroyo arrives for a State Visit, raises once again issue of Filvets to highest officials. 2005 U.S. Senate and House of Representa-tives unanimously approve Senate Reso-lution 307 and House Resolution 622 “To recognize and honor the Filipino WWII Veterans for their defense of the democ-ratic ideals and their contributions to the outcome of WWII.” 2006 Filipino veterans continue to fight for Full Equity through their allies in the U.S. Congress such as Senator Daniel Inouye, Senator Daniel Akaka and Repre-sentative Bob Filner to name a few. Philippine Embassy organizes and hosts first national meeting of the various Fili-pino veterans groups and Filipino-American groups in December at the Embassy. Consensus is reached to work closely together in coordination with the Philippine Embassy. 2007 H.R. 760 (Filipino Veterans Equity Act) and S.1315 (Veterans Benefits Enhance-ment Act) passes in House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs, respec-tively. S.671 or the Family Reunification Bill sponsored by Sen. Daniel Akaka passes as on 24 May 2007 as an amendment to the Senate’s broader Security and Immi-gration Act of 2007. This bill is pending before the Senate floor. House Bill No. 831 signed into law, grants burial benefits for Filipino WWII veterans residing in Hawaii upon the time of death. 2008 24 April: US Senate by a vote of 96 to 1 passes S. 1315 or the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act which provides monthly pensions to Filipino veterans.

Opposed in the House by Republicans. June: President Arroyo on official visit to Washington, continues advocacy for Filvets. 22 September: HR 6897, a proposal by Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), passes the House. It provides a tax-free lump sum amount to American and Filipino veter-ans of World War II (with total amount of $198M), as follows: $9,000 to non-US residents; $15,000 to residents 23 September: S. 1315 (without Filvets provision) passes the House. Senator Burr puts a hold on S.1315 in the Senate. 17 November: S. 3689, Economic Recov-ery Act of 2008, introduced by Sen. Harry Reid, contains Filvets provisions. It improves on Rep. Filner’s HR6897, with the following features added by Sen. Daniel Inouye: Recognition of military service, SSI being received by US-based veterans will not be affected, Payment to surviving spouses if the veteran dies be-fore payment is made. S. 3689 never becomes law, as the 110th US Congress ends. 2009 27 January: Sen. Inouye includes the veterans lump-sum bill in S. 336, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Similar bill in the House, H.R. 1, does not carry the Filvets provi-sion. 5 February: President Arroyo visits Washington and meets with key leaders from Congress and the new Administra-tion and pushed for recognition and bene-fits for Filvet. 13 February: The Filvets bill provision survives conference committee and is subsequently passed by both chambers. 14 February: President Arroyo thanks Congress. 17 February 2009: President Barack Obama signs Stimulus Bill, H.R. 1 or the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, with Filipino veterans provi-sion in Section 1002, Title X, which rec-ognizes military service and grants lump-sum benefits to Filipino World War II veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces in the Far East during World War II.


favor of Filipino veterans -- comes in the heels of the President’s at-tendance in the now traditional annual National Prayer Breakfast of US legislators in Washington DC last weekend.

“Equity for the Philippine veterans of World War II is at hand,” the President said.

“Despite America’s economic challenges, the U.S. Congress voted to correct a historic wrong and incorporate the lump-sum benefit for our veterans in Section 1002, Title X of the stimulus bill known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,” the President added.

“It is fitting that they honored the past as they build for the future,” President Arroyo stressed, adding that “the pas-sage of the bill in Congress culminates the many years of struggle that we have waged.”

The President expressed her great appreciat ion for the “leadership of Sen. Daniel K. Inouye for making this moment possible,” saying the latter’s “crucial role will always be hon-ored and remembered.” The Chief Executive also gave her “special thanks” to Sen. Daniel Akaka and Rep. Bob Filner “who have consistently worked so hard to promote the interests of Filipino veterans of World War II with their colleagues in the U.S. Congress.” “We thank Speaker Nancy Pe-losi, Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. Richard Lugar, former Senator Ted Stevens, Rep. Darrell Issa and Rep. Mike

Honda and every single one of the other U.S. legislators who kept the faith,” the President added.

A r r o y o t h a n k s O b a m a , U S C o n g r e s s . . . f r o m p . 1

16 February 2009, Manila - Senator Richard Gordon expressed today his gratitude to the US Congress for passing the stimulus bill which contains provi-sions granting recognition and benefits to Filipino World War II veterans.

“After 65 years, the US government has fi-nally honored its promise to the Philippines, one of its staunchest allies. I share the profound sense of joy that our nation and especially our Filipino WWII veterans now feel that the US recognizes their military service and grants them the benefits they so truly deserve,” Gordon said.

US President Barack Obama is expected to sign into law on Tuesday (US time) the stimulus bill which will finally give recognition to some estimated 18,000 Filipino veterans who fought alongside American soldiers in the WWII.

“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 Sena-tor Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Senate Majority Leader Harry

Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Bob Filner, among others.

The American Recovery and Rein-vestment Act of 2009 contained the Fili-pino Veterans’ Equity provision that provided a tax-free US$ 15,000 for each of the Filipino veterans who are US citizens and US$ 9,000 for each of non-

US citizens, mostly living in the Philip-pines.

For years, the passage of the Filipino WWII Veterans Equity bill had been

thwarted in the US Congress by US lawmakers who de-manded equal responsibility. The granting of benefits by the US government, accord-ing to previous Filipino laws, would cancel out benefits being granted by the Filipino government. To remedy this, Gordon authored Senate Bill 142 which President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed into law, logged as Republic Act (RA) 9499 on Oct. 2, 2007, which effectively amends RA 6948, or An Act Standardizing and Upgrad-ing the Benefits for Military Veterans and their Depend-

ents. RA 9499 allowed Filipino veterans

to continue receiving pensions and benefits from the Philippine government without rescinding similar benefits from the US government.

P h i l i p p i n e l a w m a k e r t h a n k s U S C o n g r e s s

In June 2007, Senator Richard J. Gordon met with Senators Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii (left) and Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont (2nd left), and expressed his appreciation for their continued support for the pas-sage of an equity bill for Filipino World War II veterans. With Sena-tor Gordon was Ambassador Willy C. Gaa (2nd right)

President Arroyo in Congress in June 2008 with Fili-pino WW II veterans and the founders of the RP-US Congressional Friendship Caucus, Rep. Bob Filner, D-CA (behind the President) and Rep. Darrell Issa, R-CA (President’s immediate left).


Statement on the Record of Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Chairman, Appropriations Committee, on the inclusion of recognition and benefits for Filipino WW II veterans in the Senate version of the economic stimulus bill, 3 February 2009 On July 26, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, con-cerned with the developing instability in Asia and the advance of the Japanese military, issued a military order, calling upon Filipinos to serve along side the United States Armed Forces in the Far East in fighting the Japanese. The Filipinos were assured that after the war, if they wished, they could apply for U.S. citizenship and that they would also qualify for full vet-erans’ benefits by reason of their active service with our armed forces. Of the 470,000 Filipino veterans that volun-teered, approximately 200,000 served in the Philippine Com-monwealth Army, Philippine Army Air Corps, and the Philip-pine Army Off-Shore Patrol, and another 200,000 served in recognized guerilla units. Today, approximately 18,000 re-main and currently reside in the United States and the Philip-pines. On December 7, 1941, the day Japan attacked Pearl Har-bor, there were an estimated 80,000 troops standing in de-fense of the Bataan Peninsula. Of that number, approximately 15,000 were American and the remainder were Filipino. In the spring of 1942, Japanese troops overran the Bataan Penin-sula and after a heroic but futile defense, more than 75,000 American and Filipino troops were captured. Soon after the surrender, in April and May of 1942, the infamous Bataan Death March was carried out. Of the 75,000 who started the march, over 15,000 died before reaching the Prisoner of War camp. After Bataan, there was Corregidor. There were 13,000 troops on Corregidor , and most of the defenders were Filipino. In recognition of the brave defense of Bataan and Corregidor, the Congress, in March of 1942, passed a law that granted Filipino citizens the privilege of becoming United States Citizens. In the fall of 1945, in order to comply with this military order, the Immigration and Naturalization Service sent an

official to receive applications for citizenship. The official was recalled in less than a month and the process was halted. On February 18, 1946, the Congress subsequently passed the Rescission Act of 1946, which deemed that the service performed by these Filipino veterans would not be recognized as “active service” for the purpose of any U.S. law conferring “rights, privileges, or benefits.” Among other things, the Act denied Filipino veterans access to health care and limited service-connected disability and death compensa-tion for Filipino veterans to 50 percent of what their Ameri-can counterparts received. During the 101st Congress, I authored legislation that granted naturalization to the Filipino World War II veter-ans. The bill was made a part of the Immigration Act of 1990, which was signed into law on November 29, 1990. Ap-proximately 24,000 veterans took advantage of the naturaliza-tion provision which expired in February 1995. The naturali-zation benefit did not confer any veterans’ benefits. This nation made a solemn promise, and with hardly a hearing, we revoked it. This is not the America I know and love. This episode is a blight upon the character of the United States , and it must be cleansed. Many thousands volunteered and many thousands were killed or wounded in the fight against Japan . Today, the vast majority of these men have already passed away. Many of these men were part of the Bataan Death March. They have served with honor, and they deserve nothing less than honor from the government of the United States. This bill does not appropriate any money for this purpose, but it will close a dark chapter in the history of this coun-try. Under the rules today, any foreign-born individual who serves honorably with the United States military has the right to apply for citizenship and, if granted, would qualify for the same Veteran’s benefits that natural-born citizens are entitled to receive. I am simply trying to give Filipino veterans equal treatment under the law on this issue. It should be noted that as you read this, many of the Filipi-nos who would qualify are on their deathbeds. Today, the average age of these men is about 90.

Finally, Equity for Filipino WWII Veterans!!, Press state-ment by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) on the Filipino Veterans provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 approved by Congress , 14 February 2009 Sixty-three years ago, President Truman signed the Re-scission Acts which denied the Filipino veterans of World War II equal status as American veterans, stripping them of equal recognition, compensation, and benefits. These Filipino soldiers, who swore an oath of allegiance to the United States, fought side-by-side with American soldiers under the Ameri-can flag. Despite the gallant efforts of the Filipino soldiers during the war, Congress still passed the Rescission Acts, which denied these veterans their rightfully earned respect, benefits, and honor. Twelve years ago, I joined Filipino veterans in protest in front of the White House and demanded equitable treat-ment. Together, we pleaded with America’s leaders to ac-knowledge the contributions of these veterans, recognize the injustice visited upon them, and act to correct this injus-tice. Unfortunately, the historical record remained blotted and Filipino veterans were not granted the rights they had

earned and deserve. Today, I am thrilled that the 111th Congress has resolutely acted to acknowledge the Filipino veterans for their steadfast contributions to the successful outcome of World War II. H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, corrects this long-standing inequity, recognizes their noble service, and provides a one-time payment of $15,000 to Fili-pino veterans who are American citizens and $9,000 to veter-ans who are Philippine citizens. This compensation is in-tended to assist them in their later years and provide the dig-nity and honor that they earned as heroic veterans of the United States. This victory, however, comes with a note of sad-ness. While approximately 300,000 Filipinos fought under the American flag during World War II, less than 18,000 are alive today to celebrate this vindication. Just two months ago, the Filipino veteran community lost one of their most tireless advocates, Joaquin Tejada. I know that his dedication to this cause was vital and I am certain that his smile continues to shine brightly. I salute these fallen heroes. As we celebrate this momentous occasion, I call on all Americans to join me in remembering and honoring the Fili-pino veterans who fought for our freedom.”


A m b a s s a d o r ’ s C o r n e r

Obtaining recognition and benefits for our Filipino World War II veterans has al-ways been high in the national consciousness of my country. This long quest has been one of both hope and frustration. 63 years and 9 presidents had come and gone before our veterans found the justice they have fought so hard for and which they truly deserve. With the passage of the American Re-covery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, our veterans can finally step out from under the shadow of the greatest generation and stand shoulder to shoulder with them, as they did in the battlefields of World War II. Two weeks ago, the quest for justice for Filipino World War II veterans was given new hope when the Appropriations Commit-tee of the Senate included in a proposed stimulus bill language that would recognize their service and grant them benefits. The possibility once again became real that dec-ades of hard work to correct a grave injustice would finally end in success. This could be the one last chance for Congress to move forward on our veterans issue. The current serious budget and finan-cial situation, the standing opposition to our veterans and the complex issues involved in the debate on the stimulus bill made it clear to me that every effort must be taken to en-sure the survival of the provision on our vet-erans. Our veterans faced many hardships in the battlefields of World War II. Today they fall casualty to age and illness. At this critical point in our quest for jus-tice for our veterans, our continuing lobby efforts needed a major boost. When I learned of plans for the President to travel to Davos, Milan, Riyadh and Man-ama, I saw an important opportunity: a visit to Washington at this time would be a power-ful signal to Congress of the profound impor-tance the Philippines -- a close ally, a historic partner and a country that shares the same values -- gives to the issue of Filipino World War II veterans. I felt it my duty to my country and to the remaining Filipino World War II veterans to recommend that the President pass by Wash-ington and meet with key Congressional leaders. I firmly believed that at this crucial moment in our long journey for justice, no effort should be spared, no opportunity should be missed.

In Washington the President met with key legislators. With each meeting, I felt that we were taking one more crucial step closer to victory. The President met with Senator Daniel Inouye, the Chairman of the powerful Appro-priations Committee and the man responsible for including our veterans in the draft stimu-lus bill. She met with Senator Daniel Akaka, the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Com-mittee. Senators Inouye and Akaka are among the most respected Senators in Congress and are the leading advocates for our veterans. They welcomed the President’s visit, updated her on the situation and said that her visit will make others in the Senate better appreciate the urgency of granting recognition and benefits to our veterans. She met with Senator John Kerry, the new Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and with Senator Jim Webb, the new Chairman of the Sub-Committee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs of Senator Kerry’s committee. These are two key Senators who can speak authoritatively to other legislators about the long-standing partnership between our two countries and how important it is to continue strengthening this relationship. She met with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose support will be critical when both Houses go to conference on the stimulus bill. Speaker Pelosi once again gave her assurance of her full support. Speaker Pelosi also told the President that her visit was timely, com-ing at a critical moment when the veterans portion in the Senate bill needed all the sup-port it could get. The President also met with a new cham-pion for our veterans: Congressman Steve Austria, the first, first-generation Filipino-American in Congress. Congressman Aus-tria, a young and articulate well-liked legisla-tor with a bright future in Congress, was deeply moved by the personal appeal of the President for his support. He pledged to redouble his current efforts on behalf of our veterans. While in Washington, the President also held dialogues with key officials of the new administration: the new Acting CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Rodney Bent, the new Director for National Intelli-gence, Admiral Dennis Blair, an old friend of the Philippines, and the new Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. The President also held important busi-ness meetings. She met separately with the US-ASEAN Business Council and with lead-ers from the US garments sector. The President started her brief visit by joining the National Prayer Breakfast as part of her continuing advocacy on behalf of in-terfaith dialogue. Her presence showed strong Philippine support for the collective efforts of both Congress and the religious

sector in America to promote greater under-standing and tolerance through interfaith dialogue. Joining the National Prayer Break-fast also further amplifies our long-standing partnership with the United States in promot-ing interfaith dialogue in support of peace in Mindanao. Official Washington has always known of President Arroyo’s personal advocacy on interfaith dialogue. They also were well aware of her national and global initiatives on this important issue. During her visit last June, where she once again highlighted inter-faith dialogue as a crucial element in building peace, I was approached by our friends in Congress with the idea that the President attend the National Prayer Breakfast. Washington today is marked by change and transformation. There is a new Admini-stration and a new Congress. A historic stimulus bill is being debated, one that will not only rebuild America’s finances but also reshape the role of government in its econ-omy. In the midst of all these, the great chal-lenge for diplomats in Washington is to en-sure that their country stays on Washington’s radar screen. Our task is to do all we can to make sure that those taking on the reins of power and making important decisions re-main informed of the significance of our relationship with America. It is a very chal-lenging task in these very challenging times. In today’s Washington, there is an urgent need to heighten our profile in the new Con-gress. I also knew that this was the time to reestablish old friendships with key leaders in the new Administration. I am glad that my recommendation for the President to pass by Washington was approved. I was able to prepare a program that brought the President together with key figures in the new Congress and the new Administration. It was a program that made full use of the 35 hours the President would spend on the ground in Washington. Contrary to what has been reported in some sectors, there was nothing in the program concerning a meeting between the President and Presi-dent Obama. Having concluded a successful visit that gave a major boost to our search for justice for our veterans and which heightened the profile of the Philippines in the new Con-gress and new Administration, my next task is to make recommendations on the content and timing of a possible meeting between the two Presidents. With justice having been won for our veterans, it will be a meeting of Presidents from two countries that have reinforced a long-standing alliance and given greater meaning to the many shared values that ce-ment our relationship.


Visit of H.E. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo To Washington DC, 5-6 February 2009

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Photos on facing page: (1) President Arroyo with Senator Daniel Inouye, who welcomed the President warmly, and who gave his assurance that he would do all that was necessary to achieve justice for Filipino WW II veterans. Senator Inouye is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and primary proponent of the Filipino veterans provision in the stimulus bill. (2) The President with Senator Daniel Akaka, the Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Senator Akaka told the President that her visit was timely and would help move the issue of Filipino veterans forward. (3) The President with Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and a strong supporter of Filipino WW II veterans. (4) The President with Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the National Prayer Breakfast where Speaker Pelosi reiterated to the President her continuing full support for Filipino WW II veterans. (5) The President with former Sena-tor and now Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who as a member of the Senate was a strong supporter of Filipino veter-ans. (6) The President with Representative Steve Austria, a Republican from Ohio and the first, first-generation Filipino-American in Congress (2nd from right), who committed to support Philippine causes in Congress. Members of the Phil-ippine House of Representatives joined the President in the meeting. From left: Representative Martin Romualdez , 1st Dist-Leyte; Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa, Lone District of Occidental Mindoro; Representative Aurelio Gonzales, 3rd Dist-Pampanga; Representative Francisco Matugas, 1st Dist-Surigao del Norte; Representative Anna York Bon-doc, 4th Dist-Pampanga. (All photos by L. Eleazar, except for photo no. 5, which was by AP)

6 February 2009, Washington DC – At the end of a 35-hour visit in the US capital, President Arroyo succeeded in heightening the profile of the Philippines in the 111th Congress of the United States which started its new ses-sion last January, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo.

“This is a visit that heightens our profile in the US Congress, boosts overall efforts to obtain justice for our veterans and renews old and historic ties with an impor-tant institution that has played a key role in relations be-tween the Philippines and the United States,” Secretary Romulo said today.

“This is a visit that started with a gathering of people of different faiths from the US and around the world determined to build better understanding and tolerance be-tween religions through dialogue and prayer,” he added.

“The National Prayer Breakfast and in particular the speech of President Barack Obama placed heavy empha-sis on the importance of interfaith dialogue,” Secretary Romulo said, adding that interfaith dialogue has always been at the center of all Philippine efforts to build peace and has been an important global initiative of President Arroyo.

“This is an international initiative supported by the international community, from the United Nations, to the Non-Aligned Movement, to ASEAN, among others,” the Secretary explained.

The Philippines will in fact host a Non-Aligned Move-ment ministerial meeting on interfaith dialogue in the Philippines this year. “Significantly, the strong support given by President Obama to interfaith dialogue is a clear indication that our partnership on this will continue,” Sec-retary Romulo said. He explained that an important aspect of the development assistance cooperation between the Philippines and the United States, particularly in Min-danao, is anchored on interfaith dialogue.

The President attended the National Prayer Breakfast upon the invitation of the US Congress which organized

the event. At the event, President Arroyo was at the head of states and governments table which was hosted by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (each table had a “table host”).

“They had an excellent conversation and Speaker Pe-losi reassured President Arroyo of her continued support for the Philippines in this new Congress,” he added.

The President then met with key leaders in the Senate who are also strong supporters of the Philippines.

“She met with Senator Daniel Inouye, the Chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee. She met with

Senator Daniel Akaka, the Chairman of the Veterans Committee. They are our champions in the US Con-gress and together are fighting for justice for our veterans,” Secretary Romulo pointed out. “She met with the new Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator John Kerry. She met with the new Chairman of the East Asia

Subcommittee of the Foreign Relations Committee, Sena-tor James Webb. They are old hands in Southeast Asian affairs and are crucial to the continued strengthening of relations between our two countries,” the Secretary said.

“They are key figures in US policy towards our coun-try and our region. The President succeeded in reinforc-ing our existing dialogue and in strengthening our future dialogue. The President, in a clear and convincing man-ner, shared her vision of our continuing relationship and the deep foundations on which they stand: our common values of freedom and democracy, our shared history, the extension people-to-people ties that we have,” Secretary Romulo said.

To round off the inroads the President made in Con-gress during this visit, she met with the Filipino-American Congressman from Ohio, Steve Austria, the first, first-generation Filipino-American in the US Congress. “During this trip to raise the profile of the Philippines in the new US Congress, she not only met with our old champions but also met with our new champions,” the Secretary said.

V i s i t h e i g h t e n s P h i l i p p i n e p r o f i l e i n n e w C o n g r e s s - R o m u l o

This is a visit that heightens our profile in the US Congress, boosts overall efforts to obtain justice for

our veterans


Equity for the Philippine veterans of World War II is at hand.

Yesterday, the House of Representatives and the Senate of the United States passed a bill that contains provisions that recognize their service and grant benefits to them.

Despite America’s economic challenges, the U.S. Congress voted to correct a historic wrong and incorporate the lump-sum benefit for our veterans in Section 1002, Title X of the stimulus bill known as the Ameri-can Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

It is fitting that they honored the past as they build for the future.

The passage of the bill in Con-gress culminates the many years of struggle that we have waged.

When Franklin Delano Roosevelt called on Filipinos to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces after Pearl Harbor, our fathers of that greatest generation heeded the call.

The President of the United States was our Commander-in-Chief. Filipinos served as U.S. soldiers, fought side by side with Americans, and died under the banner of the Stars and Stripes.

They suffered through some of the most brutal acts of World War II, including the notorious Bataan Death March. Yet they prevailed. To-gether, we vanquished the enemy and brought freedom and human dignity back to Asia and the world.

Today, that history is about to be completed. History is being set on its proper course and jus-tice is being done to the greatest generation.

We greatly appreciate the leadership of Senator Daniel K. Inouye for making this moment possi-ble. His crucial role will always be honored and remembered.

Our special thanks also goes to Senator Daniel Akaka and Represen-tative Bob Filner who have consis-tently worked so hard to promote the interests of Filipino veterans of World War II with their colleagues in the U.S. Congress.

We thank Senator Harry Reid, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Rich-ard Lugar, former Senator Ted Ste-vens, Representative Darrell Issa, and Representative Mike Honda and every single one of the other U.S. legislators who kept the faith.

We also owe the success of our efforts to both Filipino and American supporters who have patiently and tirelessly lobbied the U.S. Congress for years.

We look forward to the signing of the stimulus bill by President Barack Obama who has also been a strong supporter of the Filipino Veterans Bill.

And to our veterans, thank you for your love of country, for defending our nation, for your sacri-fice and for inspiring all of us to carry on the fight for justice.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo President of the Philippines

Statements of Philippine Government Officials on the passage by Congress of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which includes

recognition and benefits for Filipino WW II veterans


I share the profound sense of joy that our nation and especially our Filipino World War Two veterans feel with the passage in the US Congress of a law that recognizes their military service and grants them the benefits that they so truly deserve.

The passage of this law had always been among the top foreign policy tasks given to me by the President. It was a task that I vigorously carried out, keenly aware of the historic imperative of correcting a grave injustice.

It was a task in which we succeeded because the President herself was our most convincing advocate – reaching out to key players in the US Congress. Her visit to Washington early this month came at a crucial time: the provisions on our veterans were in danger of being dropped in the midst of budgetary difficulties and demanding and new priorities. During that visit, the President met with key Congres-sional leaders and made a powerful pitch for our veter-ans.

Section 1002, Title X of the Stimulus Bill also known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, recognizes the military service of our vet-erans and grants a lump-sum of $15,000 for US-based

veterans and $9,000 for those in the Philippines.

With the passage of the bill containing provisions on Filipino veterans, the United States honors its prom-ise to the Philippines, one of its staunchest allies. The passage of this bill further cements and strengthens the foundations of our deep and historic partnership.

I am very grateful to our supporters in the US Con-gress who I met and held dialogues over the years.

I thank our steadfast supporters in the U.S. Congress particularly Sen. Daniel Inouye and Sen. Daniel Akaka, as well as Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. Richard Lugar, for-mer Sen. Ted Stevens, Speaker Nancy Pe-losi, Rep. Bob Filner, Rep. Darrell Issa and Rep. Mike Honda and all those who had been fighting on behalf of our Filipino vet-erans, particularly the members of the Phil-ippine-US Friendship Caucus.

I would also like to thank all our supporters in the Filipino-American community and most of all, our Fili-pino World War Two veterans who never gave up the fight.

Alberto G. Romulo Secretary of Foreign Affairs

I wish to thank our friends and supporters in the U.S. Congress who have successfully fought to retain the provision granting recognition and lump sum bene-fits to Filipino WWII veterans in the Economic Stimu-lus Package Bill that they have passed this evening.

To the Filipino-American community, take pride in this moment and accept my gratitude for your whole-hearted support and cooperation in this struggle.

Your advocacy and activism on this issue through the decades have been instrumental in this achieve-ment.

Let us also express appreciation to the leadership of the Philippine Government, particularly to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo, for providing the Embassy with all the support it needed in this struggle and for making the Filipino veterans issue an admini-stration priority.

The President herself has personally lobbied key leaders of the U.S. Congress on numerous occasions on this issue.

Her commendable efforts and example have im-mensely contributed to the passage of legislation that finally addresses the injustice committed on our brave veterans with the passage of the 1946 Rescission Act.

It has been a long and difficult struggle through the decades, but the effort was well worth it.

Our brave and selfless veterans have served as a glowing inspiration for all of us and their faith and trust in our efforts have provided all of us a strong motiva-tion to help secure justice for their cause. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve on their behalf and to help them reclaim their honor and their dignity.

Willy C. Gaa Ambassador

A M E R I C A N R E C O V E R Y A N D R E I N V E S T M E N T A C T O F 2 0 0 9

T I T L E X - - M I L I T A R Y C O N S T R U C T I O N A N D

V E T E R A N S A F F A I R S , A N D R E L A T E D A G E N C I E S


Sec. 1002. Payments to Eligible Persons Who Served in the United States Armed Forces in the Far East During World War II. (a) Findings- Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The Philippine islands became a United States

possession in 1898 when they were ceded from Spain following the Spanish-American War.

(2) During World War II, Filipinos served in a vari-

ety of units, some of which came under the direct con-trol of the United States Armed Forces.

(3) The regular Philippine Scouts, the new Philip-

pine Scouts, the Guerrilla Services, and more than 100,000 members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army were called into the service of the United States Armed Forces of the Far East on July 26, 1941, by an executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

(4) Even after hostilities had ceased, wartime ser-

vice of the new Philippine Scouts continued as a matter of law until the end of 1946, and the force gradually disbanded and was disestablished in 1950.

(5) Filipino veterans who were granted benefits

prior to the enactment of the so-called Rescissions Acts of 1946 (Public Laws 79-301 and 79-391) currently receive full benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, but under section 107 of title 38, United States Code, the service of certain other Filipino veterans is deemed not to be active service for purposes of such laws.

(6) These other Filipino veterans only receive cer-

tain benefits under title 38, United States Code, and, depending on where they legally reside, are paid such benefit amounts at reduced rates.

(7) The benefits such veterans receive include ser-

vice-connected compensation benefits paid under chap-ter 11 of title 38, United States Code, dependency in-demnity compensation survivor benefits paid under chapter 13 of title 38, United States Code, and burial

benefits under chapters 23 and 24 of title 38, United States Code, and such benefits are paid to beneficiaries at the rate of $0.50 per dollar authorized, unless they lawfully reside in the United States.

(8) Dependents' educational assistance under chap-

ter 35 of title 38, United States Code, is also payable for the dependents of such veterans at the rate of $0.50 per dollar authorized, regardless of the veterans' resi-dency.

(b) Compensation Fund- (1) IN GENERAL- There is in the general fund of

the Treasury a fund to be known as the `Filipino Veter-ans Equity Compensation Fund' (in this section referred to as the `compensation fund').

(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Subject to the

availability of appropriations for such purpose, amounts in the fund shall be available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs without fiscal year limitation to make payments to eligible persons in accordance with this section.

(c) Payments- (1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may make a pay-

ment from the compensation fund to an eligible person who, during the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, submits to the Secretary a claim for benefits under this section. The application for the claim shall contain such information and evi-dence as the Secretary may require.

(2) PAYMENT TO SURVIVING SPOUSE- If an

eligible person who has filed a claim for benefits under this section dies before payment is made under this section, the payment under this section shall be made instead to the surviving spouse, if any, of the eligible person.

(d) Eligible Persons- An eligible person is any per-

son who--


(1) served-- (A) before July 1, 1946, in the organized military

forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, while such forces were in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States pursuant to the military order of the President dated July 26, 1941, including among such military forces organized guer-rilla forces under commanders appointed, designated, or subsequently recognized by the Commander in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, or other competent authority in the Army of the United States; or

(B) in the Philippine Scouts under section 14 of the

Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945 (59 Stat. 538); and

(2) was discharged or released from service de-

scribed in paragraph (1) under conditions other than dishonorable.

(e) Payment Amounts- Each payment under this

section shall be-- (1) in the case of an eligible person who is not a

citizen of the United States, in the amount of $9,000; and

(2) in the case of an eligible person who is a citizen

of the United States, in the amount of $15,000. (f) Limitation- The Secretary may not make more

than one payment under this section for each eligible person described in subsection (d).

(g) Clarification of Treatment of Payments Under

Certain Laws- Amounts paid to a person under this section--

(1) shall be treated for purposes of the internal

revenue laws of the United States as damages for hu-man suffering; and

(2) shall not be included in income or resources for

purposes of determining-- (A) eligibility of an individual to receive benefits

described in section 3803(c)(2)(C) of title 31, United States Code, or the amount of such benefits;

(B) eligibility of an individual to receive benefits

under title VIII of the Social Security Act, or the amount of such benefits; or

(C) eligibility of an individual for, or the amount of benefits under, any other Federal or federally assisted program.

(h) Release- (1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in para-

graph (2), the acceptance by an eligible person or sur-viving spouse, as applicable, of a payment under this section shall be final, and shall constitute a complete release of any claim against the United States by rea-son of any service described in subsection (d).

(2) PAYMENT OF PRIOR ELIGIBILITY

STATUS- Nothing in this section shall prohibit a per-son from receiving any benefit (including health care, survivor, or burial benefits) which the person would have been eligible to receive based on laws in effect as of the day before the date of the enactment of this Act.

(i) Recognition of Service- The service of a person

as described in subsection (d) is hereby recognized as active military service in the Armed Forces for pur-poses of, and to the extent provided in, this section.

(j) Administration- (1) The Secretary shall promptly issue application

forms and instructions to ensure the prompt and effi-cient administration of the provisions of this section.

(2) The Secretary shall administer the provisions of

this section in a manner consistent with applicable provisions of title 38, United States Code, and other provisions of law, and shall apply the definitions in section 101 of such title in the administration of such provisions, except to the extent otherwise provided in this section.

(k) Reports- The Secretary shall include, in docu-

ments submitted to Congress by the Secretary in sup-port of the President's budget for each fiscal year, de-tailed information on the operation of the compensa-tion fund, including the number of applicants, the number of eligible persons receiving benefits, the amounts paid out of the compensation fund, and the administration of the compensation fund for the most recent fiscal year for which such data is available.

(l) Authorization of Appropriation- There is au-

thorized to be appropriated to the compensation fund $198,000,000, to remain available until expended, to make payments under this section.

C a u c u s C h r o n i c l e U S - P h i l i p p i n e s F r i e n d s h i p C a u c u s N e w s l e t t e r

Volume 4, Issue 1 Jan-Feb 2009

Philippine Embassy

Embassy of the Philippines

1600 Massachusetts Ave. NW

Washington DC 20036

1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington DC 20036 Phone: (202) 467 9300/9363 Fax: (202) 467 9417 [email protected] www.philippineembassy-usa.org

P H I L I P P I N E E M B A S S Y

CAUCUS CHRONICLE [email protected]

Editor Carlos Sorreta

Contributors

Editorial Assistants (Philippine Embassy) Lyrie Fulgencio

Remedios Landicho Ging Omaga Diaz

Jose Ledonio Tina Santos

After over six decades of struggle, Filipino World War II veterans win recognition, benefits; Arroyo thanks Obama, US Congress

Philippines hopes for speedy processing of veterans’ claims

Statements by Senator Inouye, Representative Filner

Photo Spread: Visit of President Arroyo to DC, 5-6 Feb 09

Visit heightens Philippine profile in new Congress

Statements by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Foreign Affairs Sec-retary Alberto G. Romulo, Ambassador Willy C. Gaa

Sec. 1002, Title X, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Inside this issue of the Caucus Chronicle:

Philippine Embassy Ariel Penaranda Delfin Lorenzana Gines Gallaga Angelito Nayan Robert Borje Percival Abu

Chicago Consulate

Orontes Castro

Agana, Guam Consulate Patricia Cortes

Honolulu Consulate Lourdes Tabamo

Los Angeles Consulate

Daniel Espiritu

New York Consulate Elena Maningat

Saipan Consulate

Belinda Ante

San Francisco Consulate Wilfredo Santos

After over six decades of struggle, Filipino WWII Veterans win ...

Documents

Transcript of After over six decades of struggle, Filipino WWII Veterans win ...