Press Release
September 24, 2008

JUSTICE FINALLY AT HAND FOR FILIPINO WWII VETS
AS US HOUSE OF REPS PUSHES S. 1315 TO PENULTIMATE STAGE

US Senate Bill 1315 or the Filipino Veterans Enhancement Act was given "unanimous consent" by the US House of Representatives today, placing more than 13,000 Filipino veterans at the penultimate stage of being given just recognition for fighting along side American soldiers in World War II. Of the 66 countries that fought with the US in World War II, only Filipinos were not given recognition for their contributions and accorded US veterans status.

"The passage of the Filipino Veterans Enhancement Act in the US will give our veterans a long delayed and long deserved victory. More than any financial consideration, this will bring justice to more than 250,000 Filipinos who fought alongside American soldiers in World War II and were denied US veterans status by the 1946 Rescision Act," said Gordon.

According H.R. 6897, the US House of Representatives counterpart legislation to US Senate Bill 1315, a one time only lump-sum of $15,000.00 will be given to Filipino WWII veterans in the U.S. and $9,000.00 will be given to those in the Philippines.

Presidential Assistant for Veterans Affairs Jerry Adevoso explained that moves to secure recognition and benefits for Filipino WWII veterans stalled last year on account that receiving benefits from the US would forfeit their pension from the Philippine Government. According to Sec. 10 of RA 6948 or "An Act Standardizing and Upgrading the Benefits for Military Veterans and Their Dependents," the pension given by the Philippine Government to Filipino WWII Veterans would be forfeited should a similar pension be given by the United States Government.

Taking up of cause for Filipino WWII Veterans, Gordon in a few months successfully shepherded the passage of Senate Bill No. 142 amending Sec. 10 of Republic Act No. 6948 or "An Act Standardizing and Upgrading the Benefits for Military Veterans and their Dependents."

Gordon's bill was enacted into RA 9499 or "An Act Allowing Filipino World War II Veterans To Continue Receiving Philippine Government Pensions And Benefits Notwithstanding Similar Pensions And Benefits Provided By The United States Government, Thereby Amending Republic Act No. 6948, As Amended".

The law was unveiled during the Araw ng Kagitingan rites held in Mt. Samat on April 9, 2008. Gordon thanked Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her vocal support for more benefits for the veterans, and Representatives Carissa Coscolluela and Herminia Roman who co-authored the Lower House version of S.B. 142.

"We can only be honored to have played a part in securing what may be final victory for our aging veterans. The US Senate's passage of the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 finally settles a 60-year old question of honor and justice long denied to our veterans who are mostly now in their eighties. Certainly, the expected benefits will provide comfort in their waning years, but what matters really is the American government's recognition of their heroism, valor and sacrifice," said Gordon.

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