Two influential U.S. senators assures Philippines of early passage of Filipino Veterans Equity Bill
Two senior members of the United States Senate have vowed to push the early passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill that would increase the benefits of some 18,000 surviving Filipino World War II veterans.
US Senators Daniel Inouye and Theodore Stevens made this known during their courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this afternoon in Malacanang.
“Thank you for what you have done for the Filipino people,” the President said.
Among those present were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Francisco Benedicto, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, and US Deputy Chief of Mission Paul Jones
Senator Inouye, himself a WWII veteran, sponsored the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill to acknowledge the significant contributions of Filipino veterans who helped ensured the victory of US forces in the Pacific during World War II.
Senator Stevens, a senior member of Alaska’s congressional delegation and the longest-serving senator in the history of the Republican Party, is the chief Republican supporter of the Equity Bill in the US Senate.
As co-chairman of the Senate Defense Committee, Stevens has been instrumental in increasing financial aid to the Philippines.
“They just informed the President on the Veterans Equity Bill and its status on the US Congress especially in the Senate. And Senator Stevens and Senator Inouye who are both senior senators in the Committee of Defense in the United States promised to help push for the approval of that bill into a law so that the Filipino veterans will benefit from that Equity Bill,” Ermita said.
After the courtesy call, the President also conferred the Order of the Golden Heart with the Rank of Grand Cross on Senator Stevens for rendering distinguished services and assistance “for the amelioration and improvement of the moral, social, and economic conditions of the Filipino people.”
The two senators, who arrived today, will visit various RP-US programs of cooperation in Mindanao.
Lump-Sum Payment a Lump-Sum Insult to Filipino WW2 Veterans
US immigration bill’s failure sidelines ‘Family Reunification Act’
Reds seek activation of NPA hit squads in cities After Ampatuan Massacre, 2009 a Record Year for Journalist Killings Worldwide CHR to military: Respect and protect human rights during martial law in Maguindanao Maguindanao, its political elite and a culture subservient to corruption U.S. Must Improve Responsiveness to Mass Atrocities; Absent UN Action, Make Clear Willingness to Act on Its Own, Says New CFR Report Martial law dilutes the Philippines’s human rights and democratic gains Martial law in Maguindanao sets ‘most dangerous precedent’ Lawyers will wear black armbands, ribbons in courts Law group shall file plunder cases against President Arroyo et al. UN Experts: Maguindanao massacre must be the start of a major reform process
Arroyo’s oil-price control a publicity stunt, cries Ibon Political Bloodbath Continues: Widow of Slain Activist Shot Dead New Wave of Protests Against Charter Change Set in April Comelec’s Automation to Worsen Election Fraud — Watchdog 2008: Another Bad Year for the Philippine Press ‘Unemployment Figures Wrong; Number of Jobless Higher’ ‘Nicole Is Not the Enemy’ ‘Nicole’: ‘My Conscience Bothers Me’ Is the Call Center Industry a Bright Spot for New Graduates? 6 Great Ways to Vent Your Frustrations Eating Dirt Is Actually Good For Children Australia Offers 150 Scholarship Slots for Philippines, Asia-Pacific mamert dolera: The horrible maguindanao massacre displays the “crueltiest 221; act of political warlordism... Don Untalan: I am also interested to buy (AROD) and the tall hybreed variety. Pls advice where to buy from Manila,... scott: Sports and politics do not mix. But the economy of the Philippines relies on Pacqiao. How much money would a... Bernadine Ebo: nov.11,2009 4:45 my husband and i wants to adopt