U.S Senate Approves Filipino WWII Veteran's Benefit - by lovephileo
The United States Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation granting pension benefits to about 18,000 Filipino veterans who fought alongside U.S forces during world war II.
Having 96-1 vote, the senators approved s315 or the Veterans Benefit Enhancement Act of 2007. s315 provides for a special monthly $300 non-service disability pension for single Filipino veterans living in the Philippines. $4,500 annually for married veterans and $2,400 annually for surviving spouses.
A Hawaii Democrat and a chief sponsor of the measure estimated that 10,000 Filipinos died during the Bataan death March, along with 3,000 soldiers. The Philippine throughout the war suffered great loss of life and tremendous physical damage.
Another senator, an alaska Republican expressed that the pension benefit for Filipino WWII veterans was long overdue and argued during the senate debate that the cost would not be all that great. The youngest victim's age involved is 82.
Meanwhile, the legislation now goes to the house of Representatives for consideration. Veterans' rights activist in the U.S lauded the senate vote saying the U.S government is on its way to restoring justice and dignity for ageing filipino veterans.