RP's Sorreta Must stop Being An Apologist for the US Congress

Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)

Recognition, Justice, Equity, Now!

1610 Beverly Blvd. Suite No. 2, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Press Statement

September 24, 2008

RP’s Carlos Soretta Should Stop Being an Apologist for The US Congress

We, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) take exception and criticized the apologies of Philippine Embassy Charge d’ affaires Carlos Sorreta that after the passage of SB 1315 minus the Filipino provisions “that the quest for justice should not be divisive”

In the first we ask who is dividing whom? This is the first time that all Filipino veterans groups, the community and all our allies are united against HB 6897 which is a quit claim bill and for SB 1315. The fact that SB 1315 passed the US Senate with a vote of 96-1 is a testament of that unity.

It is absurd that after keeping quiet for almost 60 years and doing nothing, the Philippine government still have the courage to say “that they have complete faith in our supporters in Congress”. In the first place, we will not be in this bad position if the Philippine government did its work for the Filipino veterans in 1946 when the recession act was passed.

Although we commend the efforts of Ambassador Willy Gaa and General Lorenzana and other Filipino diplomats for their efforts, we cannot fathom the apology of Sorreta and the grandstanding of Arroyo who visited the United Nations yesterday.

Today they will discuss HR 6897. No matter what the result is that only proves that there is blatant racism in the United States. It is too lame for the Philippine government to defend and apologize for the US Congress.

More than 250,000 Filipino soldiers served under the American Flag. Promises were made to them during World War II. More than one million Filipinos died during the Second World War. The passage of SB 1315 minus the section for the Filipino veterans is a great insult to the Filipino community both in the U.S and the Philippines.

Much more, promises have not been kept. Today only 18,000 are still alive with more veterans dying everyday. And the House of Representatives passed the SB 1315 and the Filipinos were left out. It is time to end this injustice. If the issue is money, how come the US government can bailout private corporations with billions of taxpayer’s dollars? Filipinos fought for freedom and democracy. They are asking for recognition and not money like mercenaries. Their honor and dignity as soldiers have no value in dollars that was depreciate because their cause is greater than their lives.

They served; they deserved to be honored with dignity and justice.



Arturo P. Garcia

National Coordinator