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FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo vows that
the Philippine government will continue supporting the efforts of
Filipino World War II Veterans, US Congress and Filipino-American
Community on Filipino WWII Veterans Equity Bill.
Romulo said, “Through the
committed and determined efforts of our Filipino World War II
veterans, and the support and advocacy of our friends in the US
Congress and the Filipino-American community, we are one step closer
to succeeding in our common quest for veterans equity.”
United States House and Senate
Committees on Veterans Affairs have held hearings on the Veterans
equity bill. The Senate, chaired by Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) on
April 11, and the House, chaired by Rep. Bob Filner (D 51st
District, California), on February 15.
Philippine Embassy representative
appeared and stated the full support of the Philippine government on
both occasions.
Romulo also appreciated the
actions taken by Senator Akaka and Representative Filner, as well as
those by other members of Congress who have cosponsored and who will
be cosponsoring these bills.
“I welcome and deeply
appreciate in particular the strong support given by Sen. Daniel K.
Inouye, a close and valued friend of the Filipino people who
sponsored S-57 and who gave a powerful and moving testimony before
the Senate committee. Senator Inouye’s strong advocacy, coming
from a senior senator, a World War II veteran, and a Congressional
Medal of Honor awardee gives all of us renewed hope for the passage
of this bill.”
The Filipino Veterans Equity Act
aims at restoring full and equal veteran status for Filipino
Veterans of WWII by amending the Rescission Act of 1946, which
stripped Filipino soldiers of US veterans’ status.
If passed, Filipino WWII veterans
would finally be recognized as equal to US veterans and will be
entitled to equal recognition and benefits.
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