Media Advisory

Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)

Contact: Arturo P. Garcia

Phone; (213) 241-0906

June 17, 2009

Filipino Veterans Protests Slow Processing of Lump Sum Checks: US Playing Politics

Los Angeles- Another long wait for benefits.

Filipino World War II veteran based both in the United States and the Philippines protests the long wait and slow processing of the lump sum benefits.

“ We have waited for 63 long years for our benefits. Now they are going to let us wait again for another long wait.” This was the remark of veteran Mariano Pastorin of Los Angeles.”

“ But we can’t do anything but wait. We waited for the American forces to go back for us during the Japanese occupation. We have waited for our benefits. We are still waiting for our benefits.” Pastorin joked about his long wait.

JFAV reported that more than 2,000 veterans in the Philippines and in the United States have received their one-time lump sum checks. It was reported that the Filipino veterans were given priority in processing while the US veterans will receive theirs later.

US Playing Politics

JFAV pointed out that the US government is playing politics by giving benefits to Filipinos first to for political reasons. This especially that several amendments to the proposed charter change of the Arroyo administration will benefits the United States.

Some of the proposed amendments were changes in the economic provisions in the 1987 constitution giving foreigners 100% ownership over lands and Philippine based corporations. Also up for review are the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the removal of the nuclear free-provisions and the anti-bases provisions of the 1997 constitution.

JFAV also pointed to the fact that contrary to DVA records that there are only 6,000 living veterans in the US, data shows that here are still more than 11,000 veterans in the United States. What makes the veracity of the data is that veterans comes and go between the Philippines and the U.S.

Another glaring problem is the large number of applicants. PVAO and the DVA have reported that there are more than 32,000 veterans who have applied for benefits as of May 3, 2009. More than 2,000 checks have been given out and the veterans have to wait until the money run out,

Veterans can still apply for benefits until February 16, 2009, the last day of filing for benefits that gives only a one-time payment and made the veterans waive their rights for benefits in the future.

For more information please contact jfav or Al P. Garcia of People’s CORE at (213)241-