Gov’t team to lobby for US veterans bill

PILAR, BATAAN — Lawmakers and government officials will fly to the United States this month to lobby for the passage of the long-stalled Veterans Equity Bill in the US Congress, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday said. In her speech during the 66th anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), Mrs. Arroyo said this is in gratitude to the heroism of Filipino veterans who fought the invading Japanese troops during World War II. "We [will] continue working for the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill in the United States. A joint Philippine Executive-Legislative delegation including Senator [Richard] J. Gordon [Sorsogon Rep.] Jose G. Solis, and [BUHAY party-list] Rep. Carissa Cosculluela will leave this month to lobby for its passage," she told veterans who attended the anniversary rites at Mt. Samat Shrine. "In our history, our Filipino troops courageously fought for our freedom and world peace. It is not enough to thank them. We must also ensure that we are responding to their needs." In a chance interview, Ernesto G. Carolina, Defense undersecretary for civil, veterans and reserve affairs, said the delegation will fly to the US on April 12. He added the delegation will also include Zambales Rep. Antonio M. Diaz, Pasig Rep. Roman T. Romulo, Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino B. Biazon, Justice Manuel Pamaran and himself. "We hope before the US Congress adjourns in May, it [the bill will] be approved by the plenary. The President already talked to [US President George W.] Bush about it and Mr. Bush promised that he would sign the bill once it reaches his desk," he said. Pending since 1955 Mr. Carolina said the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill has been pending before the US Congress since 1955. He said the bill was stalled due to some disagreements among Filipino veterans on the amount of compensation. The bill will give Filipino veterans the same benefits as their American counterparts. Mr. Carolina said the US Senate and House will still have to reconcile their versions of the bill, adding the Senate version seeks to provide $300-$350 a month while the House version offers about $600 a month. Lobby group Covington and Burling LLP, which has bagged a $500,000 deal with the government, will help the delegation in convincing lawmakers to pass the bill. US Ambassador Kristie Kenney said the bill remains "a very high priority" of the US Congress. "I think you’ve got a lot of strong support in the United States and certainly a lot of great respect for the Philippine veterans who’ve done wonderful things and continue to be our heroes," she said. There are 240,000 veteran pensioners, 60,000 of which are surviving veterans. Among the survivors, more than 30,000 are World War II veterans. They are entitled to receive benefits like old-age pension (P5,000 per month), disability pay (P1,700 a month) and hospitalization benefits (P400 a day). New law Meanwhile, Mrs. Arroyo formally signed Republic Act 9499 which allows World War II veterans to continue receiving pensions and benefits notwithstanding similar benefits provided by the US government. Filipino war veterans or their dependents will be entitled to additional pension and benefits from the US on top of the P5,000 monthly pension they are getting from the government. The new law increased the pension to P5,000 from P500. - Alexis Douglas B. Romero, BusinessWorld