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Sunday, September 09, 2007
Bush vows to OK Filipino vets act
MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and President George Bush had a brief meeting Saturday, first day of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit held in Sydney, Australia.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye, in an email, said the two leaders had a chat for about five to seven minutes and talked about two US bills that would benefit some 18,500 surviving Filipino World War II veterans — around 6,000 living in the United States and around 12,000 in the Philippines.
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He said the US President has promised President Arroyo to sign The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 (HR 70).
“Passed into law, this will be a profound gesture reflective of the deep and abiding relations between the Philippines and the US and the Filipino and American peoples’ shared commitment to uphold the values of democracy and justice for all,” she said in her message to Bush.
Arroyo said the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 and the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 will finally provide pension benefits for Filipino veterans.
She said the issue is very important for the Philippines and the Filipino people, as it will finally mean “the end of a decades-long struggle for Filipino veterans to be recognized for their meaningful contributions to the campaign for democracy during the Second World War.”
The Filipino Veterans Equity Act, sponsored by chairman of House Veterans Affairs Committee Representative Bob Filner, is a stand-alone bill intended to cover benefits for Filipino veterans.
Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007, introduced by Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Senator Daniel Akaka, meanwhile covers benefits for all US veterans.
It is hoped that once the final version of the veterans’ bill is sent to President Bush, he will sign it into law immediately, said Bunye.(Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (September 9, 2007 issue)
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