During World War II, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos fought for the United States with the promise that after the war they would have a path to U.S. citizenship and qualify for full veterans’ benefits through their active service with the U.S. armed forces. Thousands of Filipinos died in the infamous Bataan Death March. But soon after the war, Congress reneged, and established that Filipino veterans would not be recognized as “active service” for the purpose of any U.S. law conferring "rights, privileges, or benefits." Filipino veterans activists have been fighting it ever since.
Fast forward to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, otherwise known as the economic stimulus bill. In the 735-page version of the bill now before the Senate, there are a full seven pages dedicated to "Payments to eligible persons who served in the United States armed forces in the Far East during World War II." It details a plan to compensate Filipinos who fought for the U.S. during World War II with lump sum payments of $15,000 for those who are U.S. citizens, and $9,000 for those still living in the Philippines. There are an estimated 18,000 Filipino vets still living who might qualify for payments; about 7,000 of them U.S. citizens. The total cost: up to $198 million.
Oddly enough, the money for the program would not come out of the stimulus package. It was approved in another bill passed last year. However, one should note that this does not equate to full equity and does not correct the record of Filipino World War II Veterans.
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