The bill provides for a flat rate of $ 3,600 annual non-service disability pension for single Filipino veterans living in the Philippines, $ 4,500 annually for married veterans, and $ 2,400 annually for surviving spouses.

Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), chairman of the US Veterans Affairs’ Committee, applauded his colleagues in the 100-member Senate for passing the bill. "The Filipino veterans of World War II fought bravely under US military command, helping us win the war only to lose their veteran status by an Act of Congress. I commend my colleagues for supporting those veterans who stood with us," said Senator Akaka, who crafted the unprecedented cloture motion vote Tuesday, April 22, 940, that paved the way for floor vote of the bill Thursday.

Senator Akaka added: "I am also very pleased that the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 can finally move forward. This bill makes needed improvements to veterans’ benefits by expanding and increasing support for veterans, their families, and their survivors. I urge my colleagues in the House to act swiftly on this much needed bill."

During the floor debate, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-New York) rose to speak against a proposed amendment that would have removed the health and pension benefits due to the Filipino veterans. Clinton, co-author of Senate Bill 1315,reiterated her commitment to continue to support and fight for the Filipino veterans equity bill "as a matter of restoring the honor and dignity of these courageous veterans."

White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois) hailed the passage of the bill. In a statement released by Michael Ortiz, press staff of the senator, Obama said, "Our veterans and service members have made incredible sacrifices for our nation, and today, the Senate honored their service by providing them with the care and benefits they deserve."

John Normoyle, press staff of Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), quoted Senator Durbin as saying, "Restoring veteran status to the Filipino veterans who served alongside American soldiers in World War II is long overdue. There were 470,000 Filipinos who answered President Franklin Roosevelt’s call and stood shoulder to shoulder with America’s bravest."

He said: "During WW II, President Roosevelt issued a military order and called to service the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, which was American territory at the time. This entitled the Filipinos who served alongside US troops to full veterans’ benefits."

Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, sponsor of the original S. 57, the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill, hailed the Senate passage of legislation that provides approximately $ 166 million for a special pension for Filipino veterans who fought alongside US forces during World War II.

"Senate approval of the benefits for the surviving Filipino veterans is the first step in removing a more than 60-year-old stain on our national honor," Senator Inouye said. "Senate approval was the right action to take and it fulfills our long-held promise to our Filipino comrades in arms."

For nearly 20 years, Senator Inouye has fought to have the benefits for the Filipino veterans restored. In January of this year, he and US Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) made an official trip to the Philippines, and one of their meetings was with Filipino veterans of World War II.

"America must not forget how crucial the efforts of Filipino veterans were to the success of the Allied forces in World War II," said Senator Stevens said.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (DNevada) said, "Democrats have led the way to expand eligibility for traumatic-injury insurance and specially adapted housing benefits to veterans with severe burns. We are also increasing benefits for veterans pursuing apprenticeships or onjob training."

Prior to voting on final passage of the bill, the Senate debated on an amendment to remove a provision, providing a limited pension for Filipino World War II veterans residing in the Philippines. This amendment was defeated by a vote of 56-41, with Akaka leading the charge for the Filipino veterans’ pension.

Jon Meligrito, press spokesman of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) headed by Ms. Alma Q. Kern, said for the amendment of Sen. Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) objecting to the Filipino veteran pension to come through, he would have needed 49 votes since there were 97 senators present. Six Republicans joined the Democrats in rejecting what was widely viewed as a highly discriminatory act against Filipino veterans.

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for debate and a floor vote. The House version of the Filipino Veterans Equity bill pending before Chairman Bob Filner (H.R. 760) seeks higher benefits.

If the measure passes Congress, it will then go to President Bush for his signature.

NaFFAA National Chairwoman Alma Kern asked the Filipino-American community members not to rest on this milestone yet. She said athey have to keep on calling members of the House of Representatives to urge them to support the Filipino Veterans Act.

"We have to see this campaign through to the finish. It’s up to us to make it happen," she said.

This comprehensive, budget-neutral omnibus veterans’ benefits bill was approved by the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in June last year and reported to the full Senate in August.

The Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 would provide a veterans’ pension to Filipino veterans of World War II residing in the US and in the Philippines. Under the proposed bill, veterans residing in the Philippines would receive a smaller pension than those residing in the US, to account for differences in cost-of-living in the two countries.

The Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 also includes a multitude of improvements on veterans’ benefits, including provisions to establish a new program of insurance for service-connected disabled veterans, expand eligibility for retroactive benefits from traumatic injury protection coverage under Service members’ Group Life Insurance, increase the maximum amount of Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance that a service-connected disabled veteran may purchase,provide individuals with severe burn injuries specially adapted housing benefits, and extend for two years the monthly educational assistance allowance for apprenticeship or other on-the-job training.

RP gov’t thanks US Senate, hopes House will follow suit

The Philippine government yesterday thanked the US Senate for the passage of a legislation that would give pension benefits to about Filipino veterans who fought alongside American forces during World War II.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye expressed hopes the US House of Representatives would follow suit so that US President George W. Bush could finally sign into law the much-anticipated Filipino veterans benefits bill.

"We thank the US Senate for the favorable action on the veterans bill which has been pending for so long. We hope that the counterpart bill would also be approved by the House of Representatives," Bunye said.

"We are hoping this will be signed into law as soon as possible," he added.

Bunye said President Arroyo earned the commitment of US President George W. Bush about the swift passage of the Filipino veterans equity bill during a recent meeting last year.

He noted that the two leaders tackled the proposed benefits for Filipino veterans at the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) summit in Sydney, Australia.

There are now 6,000 Filipino veterans in the US and 12,000 in the Philippines. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)