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The Oppression of Filipinos in United States Policy: Veterans’ Benefits
The Forgotten Filipinos
by Erin Pangilinan
2005
We must re-examine the imperialistic or colonial relationship between the Philippines and the United States with a transnational lens to understand its effects on United States policy oppressing modern day Filipinos because there was a historical oppression.
The United States' ability to control or have authority over its colony, the Philippines, allowed executive powers from President Roosevelt to call an order of an abundance of Filipino soldier to serve in the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) in July of 1941. When veterans did receive benefits in the past, it was only half of what Caucasian veterans received. They were denied regular assistance afforded to other veterans until December 1999, when President Clinton signed a federal law granting benefits.
More recently, various Filipino interest groups were against California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger reconsider a plan to scrap the California Veterans Cash Benefits (CVCB), which would strip some 1,700 Filipino-American World War II veterans of their monetary benefits. “It saddens me that this governor, who is an immigrant, doesn't understand that the program helps immigrants who fought to protect democracy so that he can have the opportunity to be here and become governor,” a veteran noted.
House Resolution 677 (HR 677) is the Filipino Veterans Equity Act which aimed at restoring full and equal veteran status for Filipino Veterans of WWII, by amending the Rescission Act of 1946, which stripped Filipino soldiers of U.S. veterans’ status. If it was passed, Filipino WWII veterans would finally be recognized as equal to U.S. veterans, entitled to equal recognition and benefits. It had 207 co-sponsors and needed 219 to pass. With 12 votes shy of our goal in the house, all supporters need to look strong toward Full Equity in the 109th Congress. Senate Bill 68 (S 68) would have given $100 monthly to eligible veterans specifically: Philippine Commonwealth Army, recognized guerrillas and New Philippine Scouts who would receive medical care and disability pension benefits from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. S 68 was a result of consensus between Philippine Government Leaders and Representative Bob Filner of California. It was based on an agreement that Filipinos found to be a realistic and equitable proposal that would overcome budgetary and historical obstacles. According to Manila Bulletin, The Executive Council of the National Federation of Filipino-American Republicans (NFFAR) met in a teleconference on November 14th to discuss the HR 677 issue concerning Filipino World War II Veterans Equity Bill. This bill failed to pass at the 108th Congress, and a few times before. Full Equity Now formed a coalition to find out why HR 677 failed, and create a new bill, the Filipino Equity Acts. These benefits would bring Filipino WWII veterans out of poverty. They say they deserve better treatment from the government, because they fought valiantly so that America would have freedom. A veteran argued, “Can’t you give Fil-Am Vets $100 monthly? How much do we spend on Iraq?” Though the Filipino veterans lacked benefits, immigration to the United States was more welcomed for labor. Thus, there was the exportation of Filipina nurses and “brain drain,” which coincides with the American education institutionalization of the Philippines with nursing schools and the adaptation of the supreme English language.
Currently, the bills, the Filipinos Veterans Equity Acts of 2005, House Resolution 302 (HR 302) and Senate Bill 146 (S 146) have been introduced in Congress. Full Equity Now claims that, “It is our job to contact our Representatives and the Chair people of both House and Senate Veterans Affairs (VA) committees to make sure that HR 302 and S 146 pass in this 109th Congress.”
Also, ironically, the date February 18th marks the anniversary of the 1946 Rescission Act which denied our Filipino Veterans equal status for their service to America—which is the day before the Day of Remembrance marked for the Japanese Internment. The Japanese and Filipinos were fighting against each other, but were both oppressed by the United States in dealing with immigrant rights.
