GORDON OPTIMISTIC FILIPINO VETERANS EQUITY BILL IN THE US CONGRESS WILL SOON BE APPROVED

Senator Gordon is optimistic that the Filipino Veterans Equity Act pending in the US Congress will finally be approved this year. The U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee voted on Wednesday on a mark-up bill that would appropriate funds for the equity bill while the lower house will meet next month to discuss the same. The U.S. Senate Committee on VA approved $350/mo for unmarried Filipino veterans, up to $450 plus disability compensation pension and medical benefits for married veterans –both for veterans residing in the U.S. and in the Philippines. Gordon, presently in the US actively lobbying for the passage of the bill, is extremely happy about the recent positive developments. “Filipino-Americans have done a great job in dropping the baggage of divisiveness. It only shows that if we work together, we can achieve positive results. The Filipino-American community can become a power, a political force to be reckoned with if the community speaks with one voice,” Gordon said.

Gordon met with Senators Daniel Akaka, Daniel Inouye and Representatives Bob Filner and Dana Rorabacher, all advocates of the equity bill in the U.S. Congress and they assured Gordon of the enactment of the bill. The bill seeks to end the inequity brought about by the Rescission Act of 1946, which denied the rights, benefits and privileges initially promised to the Filipino soldiers. Filipino Veterans Equity Act would repeal section 107 of title 38, United States Code and grant equal benefits to Filipino World War II veterans.

Champion of the Veterans

Gordon was the Guest of Honor of the Philippine Embassy at the Vin d’Honneur during the Philippine Independence Day celebration in Washington D.C. attended by U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, members of the diplomatic corps, other US government officials, heads of international organizations and leaders of the Fil-Am community. Gordon, during his speech, stressed the importance of the passage of the bill, “This legislation means the long overdue recognition of the important contribution of the Filipinos during the war will finally be given to them. This is a fight for the dignity and respect that our veterans truly deserved. They served without hesitation when they were called upon by then U.S. President Roosevelt and fought side by side with the Americans fighting for a common cause –the defeat of totalitarianism and the victory of democracy.” Gordon added, “about 142,000 Filipinos fought during the war, 60,000 of them suffered the infamous Death March in Bataan together with 10,000 Americans and a million lives of Filipinos were lost in WWII.”

Gordon has been championing the veterans’ cause since the time that he was serving as a Mayor of Olongapo City together with his brother, Bong Gordon, the current mayor. Whether lobbying in the U.S. Congress or meeting with leaders of the equity movement, Gordon’s message has been consistent –to accord dignity and recognize service of Filipino veterans in WWII.

As Tourism Secretary, he raised the veterans’ issue with President Bush during the State Visit of President Arroyo in the U.S in 2003.

In the Senate, Senator Gordon co-chaired the WWII 60th Anniversary Commemoration Committee and insisted on paying tribute to all the major battles all over the country from 1944 up to the surrender of Yamashita in 1945 and not just highlight the Leyte Landings, when approached in August 2004 by then U.S. Ambassador Ricciardone to lead the commemoration activities. As a result, 12 areas of the country were given the opportunity to present their historical contribution to the liberation of the Philippines during WWII.

The Fight Continues

Gordon appeals to the Fil-Am community to continue the fight, “the next thirty days is going to be crucial, the fight is not yet over. This is a good opportunity to make known the pivotal role of the Filipinos in WWII as many Americans are not aware of the Filipinos’ great contribution to winning the war.”

To facilitate the passing of the equity bill, the Senator also drafted an amendment to Sec 10 of RA 6948. The amendment acknowledges the shared responsibility between the governments of the Philippines and America in providing benefits to the Filipino veterans.

Gordon thanked former US Ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador Francis Ricciardone for his efforts in bringing to the American public’s attention the heroism of Filipino veterans. Ricciardone worked closely with Gordon during the 60th Anniversary Commemoration of WWII and brought the best selling book “Ghost Soldiers” (Hampton Sides) as well as the movie “The Great Raid” to the Philippines. Gordon also expressed his appreciation of Ambassador Kristie Kenney’s support of the Filipino veterans’ cause and her various initiatives in continuing the good relations established between America and the Philippines.