BY JENNIE L. ILUSTRE

WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Clinton (Democrat, New York) has vowed to get the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill passed if she gets elected as president of the United States in November.

"As president, I look forward to working with Senator (Daniel) Inouye and Congressman (Bob) Filner to get this important legislation passed," she said in a statement released during the 66th anniversary of the Fall of Bataan.

Inouye co-authored the bill with Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D., Hawaii). Filner (D., California), chair of the committee on veterans affairs, is the author of the sister bill in the House.

The bill currently awaits a floor vote in the US Senate as it got bogged down by disagreement among Republicans and Democrats over the proposed pension.

Democrats want over $900 for US-based Filipino veterans and $300 for those living in the Philippines. Republicans, while amenable to honoring the veterans, want $100 for those living in the Philippines.

Hillary said she has been a strong supporter of those denied benefits as a result of the 1946 Rescission Act. "I am a co-sponsor of the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill, sponsored by Senator Inouye, which would again make Filipino veterans eligible for federal veteran benefits," she said.

She stressed: "This is a matter of restoring the honor and dignity of these courageous veterans and I will continue to support and fight for this legislation."

Her rival, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois), had also come out in support of the veterans earlier this year.