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THE US
Senate’s Committee on Veterans Affairs headed by Sen.
Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) approved Wednesday morning
(Wednesday evening in Manila) the much-awaited bill that
will give full benefits to Filipino World War II
veterans.
At
Wednesday’s “mark-up hearing,” Akaka said his provisions
will “restore full veterans status” to Filipinos who
fought under the American flag 60 years ago.
A
“mark-up” hearing is where the committee amends the text
of a pending legislation.
“This
will remedy the long-standing injustice to fulfill our
nation’s promises to those who served with us,” Akaka
said.
Originally named S. 57, the Filipino Veterans Equity
Bill is now incorporated in the S. 1315 or the “Veterans
Benefits and Emoluments Act.” S.1315 is an omnibus
benefits bill providing for a special set of benefits
for men and women who have fought under the US flag,
including the Filipino World War II veterans.
“These
provisions will provide veterans with disabilities
incurred or aggravated by military service with service-
connected compensation at the same rate as all other
veterans regardless of where they live,” he said.
Right
now, Filipino veterans residing in the Philippines are
receiving only half of what the Filipino veterans in the
US are receiving in disability benefits.
Under
the bill, Filipino World War II veterans will also
receive a flat-rate pension amounting to $3,600 per year
for a single veteran; $4,500 per year with one
dependent; and $2,400 per year for the surviving spouse.
However,
Filipino veterans will only receive the flat pension
once a Philippine law limiting the pension to $100 per
month is repealed.
“I am
satisfied the provisions in the bill represent an
equitable compromise and should not be struck from the
bill,” he added.
The
committee chairman made this statement after putting off
Craig for implying that education for American soldiers
returning from combat should be given priority over
giving full benefits to Filipino veterans, most of whom
are now in their 80s.
“Last
night, chairman [Carl] Levin informed me that he would
prefer that we not proceed in your amendment based on
the jurisdictional concerns with the Senate Armed
Services Committee,” Akaka told Craig.
Levin
(D-Michigan) is the chairman of the Senate’s Armed
Services Committee.
Like in
the April 11, 2007 public hearing on S. 57, Craig once
again voiced his opposition in giving “equal” benefits
to Filipino veterans.
“With
limited funds available, it is essential that expanding
benefits for Filipino veterans be viewed in the context
of first meeting the needs of the coming combat
veterans,” Craig said.
“As for
the pension benefits, I really struggled with this, Mr.
chairman…. Under the chairman’s mark, a new benefit
created for a unique a class of new beneficiaries that
dramatically exceeds the relative value of the same
benefits paid to veterans right here in the US,” he
added.
In
trying to convince his colleagues to vote for his
amendments, Craig said that his suggested provisions
offer a “balance.”
“I want
to benefit the Filipino veterans. But I don’t want to
create an environment that is extraordinary because I
don’t think we have done that for any of our veterans,”
he said.
Eight,
including Akaka voted “no” to Craig’s amendments. Only
six voted “yes.”
The
actual copy of the bill will not be available until the
Committee on Veterans Affairs irons out the
technicalities of its implementation.
Afterward, the committee will write a report and submit
it to the Senate floor for debate and action.
Philippine Ambassador Willy C. Gaa viewed the approval
as a “special and historic occasion in our long-standing
quest for justice and equity for our brave and
courageous Filipino WW II veterans.”
“For the
first time ever in history, the important contribution
of Filipino veterans of the last World War is now being
officially recognized by a US legislative enactment,”
Gaa said. |
