BY JENNIE L. ILUSTRE

WASHINGTON — Filipino World War II veterans in the US and in the Philippines won a historic victory Wednesday when the US Senate veterans committee approved to move to a floor vote an omnibus bill granting them "full veterans status" and accordingly, full benefits to them, their spouses and dependents.

The provisions are tacked on a sure-to-pass S. 1315, Veterans Benefits and Emoluments Act. A similar House mark-up of major legislation is also in the works, and voting on the omnibus bill is assured before the 110th US Congress ends this December, or even earlier.

Filipinos fought under the US flag during WWII under the military order issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt when the Philippines was a US territory.

But after the war, the 79th US Congress passed the Rescission Act of 1946, which stopped the pension and other benefits of nonservice-connected (no combat-related disability) veterans, deeming their war duty "not service for purposes of benefits."

Said Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D., Hawaii): "I am ecstatic that with our Democratic majority resulting in my chairmanship of the veterans’ affairs committee (this January), I was able to, at long last, hold a hearing on this issue, educate and rally my colleagues around addressing this historical wrong, and finally today, to advance this legislation to the Senate floor."

Akaka is co-author, with Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D., Hawaii), of the bill that was incorporated as provisions. The two, who are WWII veterans themselves, are also co-sponsors of all Filipino veterans’ benefits bills that have become laws since the 1990s.

Said a visibly elated Philippine Ambassador Willy C. Gaa: "For the first time ever in history, the important contribution of Filipino veterans of the last World War is now being officially recognized."

He added that correcting the 61-year injustice was "a very important part of the foreign policy agenda of the Arroyo administration." 

Among other things, the bill seeks to grant qualified Filipino WWII veterans – whether they reside in the US or have retired to the Philippines – the full-rate disability compensation equal to that received by Americans. Currently, veterans get half-rate once they return to the Philippines. Annually, single American veterans receive $10,929 and married ones get $14,313.

Under the bill, some 5,000 nonservice veterans residing in the US will receive $911 in monthly pension.

Some 12,000 Philippine-based veterans, who have to be screened by the US Veterans’ Administration’s regional office at the embassy in Manila, if they qualify, stand to receive $300 monthly pension if single. The spouse of the married veteran gets an additional $75 a month.

Inouye said Filipino veterans and survivors residing outside the US would get a lower rate because pension benefits are not paid for disabilities related to military service. "They are paid to help improve the quality of life for wartime veterans and survivors with very low incomes," he said.

The proposed monthly pension for Philippine-based veterans will be in addition to the P5,000-pension they get from the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO).

Retention of the Philippine government obligation to their veterans is a requirement of Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho, ranking member of the Senate veterans affairs committee. Craig, citing the lower standard of living in the Philippines, proposed to reduce the pension for Philippine-based veterans to a monthly $100, an amendment that failed Wednesday by an 8-6 vote.

Sen. Richard Gordon, who met with US legislators here last week on the pension bill, said in a phone interview Wednesday he would introduce an amendment to this effect as soon as the Philippine Congress reconvenes on July 23.

"I would like to reassure the US government that they are not alone in providing benefits to our veterans," he said, adding the Philippines is committed to honoring its veterans.

Irene Bueno of the National Filipino Veterans for Equity (NAFVE) based in this US capital, said: "We have not gotten this far before. Now, everything points to a fast-tracked action. It is possible that when the omnibus bill goes to the Senate floor that there would be no actual voting. It would be approval by unanimous consent."

"This is a huge, huge victory for our veterans," said Eric Lachica, executive director of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV) based here.

"I’m so happy," said retired Maj. Alberto C. Bacani, 96, who served as an intelligence officer under the 12th Infantry Regiment of the 11th Division during the war. Eight veterans from this area, New York and New Jersey came to the mark-up.

Inouye issued a statement Wednesday, saying the provisions would:

• Restore full veterans status to Filipino veterans of World War II who lost this status under the Rescission Acts of 1946.

• Pay Filipino veterans of World War II who suffer from disabilities incurred or aggravated by military service with service-connected compensation at the full rate, regardless of where they live.

• Permit Filipino veterans of World War II and survivors residing in the United States to receive pensions and death pensions paid at the same rate and under the same conditions as US veterans.

• Provide Filipino veterans of World War II residing outside of the United States a special pension and death pension paid at a lower flat rate which does not require documentation of income, assets, and medical expenses.

Inouye pointed out: "What happened 61 years ago was not right; it was shameful and disgraceful. That is why for 16 years I have been persistent in my efforts to secure passage of the Filipino veterans equity provisions. The legislation is about fairness and dignity – core American values. It is also about correcting an injustice that has stood for way too long."

"Our country owes a debt of gratitude to the Filipino veterans and this measure will get them the benefits they deserve," said Akaka.