ALL SET FOR NOVEMBER 11 12th JFAV PROTEST MARCH/RALLY IN HOLLYWOOD (tags)
They Served, they Deserved Benefits.” The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and its allied organizations announced that they are all set for the biggest demonstration, the 12th JFAV Protest March/Rally in the entertainment capital of the world-Hollywood on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 12;00 noo at Holywood and Vine intersection. For the first time, the JFAV march and rally in Hollywood and not in front of the Federal building in Downtown LA. as it usually does since 1997. Arturo Garcia, JFAV National coordinator explained the rationale for the change in venue : “ The Federal Building in downtown LA is usually closed for the November 11 holiday so all the rallies there are symbolical. Now we will bring it to the eyes entire world an not an empty edifice.” After the post-election victory of re-elected President, the JFAV wrote an appeal and demand letter asking the president to issue an executive order for full recognition of 43,000 Filipino World War II Veterans and their survivors who for more than 66 years were still unrecognized American veterans. Post Obama Election Protest Rally The JFAV stopped the lobby on the US Congress for HR 210 after the GOP controlled House of Representatives refused JFAV a hearing on HR 210 at the House Veterans Affairs Committee last August 2012 even with 96 co-sponsors for the bill.
Texas Rep. Ron Paul, 90 Congress Leaders Supports Equity of Filipino WW II Vets (tags)
A week after the Bataan Day celebration, lobbyists will visit the US Congress the second time in a month’s time to press for sub-committee hearing on HR 210, “The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011,” which will provide full recognition to the US military services of the remaining 50,000 Filipino WW II veterans and full benefits to the veterans, widows, and their families. Lobbyists find inspiration in Texas Rep. Ron Paul, a war veteran himself and Republican presidential candidate who openly endorsed the bill in a public rally in Nevada. “We are pleased to announce Ron Paul’s unwavering legacy of supporting veterans by announcing he will support and co-sponsor HR 210,” said John Tate, national campaign manager. “HR 210 provides a small thank you for an enormous debt of gratitude owed the Philippines and America’s most heroic individuals.”
Filipino WW II Vets/Widows Ask for Apology from Obama and US Congress (tags)
A day after the Memorial Day marked by flags and parades, Filipino WW II vets and widows vow to demand a formal public apology from President Barack Obama and the US Congress for 65 years of abandonment, racial discrimination and injustice. ?We deserve full recognition and full compensation. But the wounds of long years of humiliation as second-class American veterans will never completely heal until the US government asks for apology,? says Felino Punsalan, who celebrates 93rd birthday today, without any lump-sum, much less monthly pension, nor any signs that he would be recognized soon as an American veteran. Vets and their families ask California Assemblywoman Fiona Ma to introduce a separate bill demanding for apology. Ma previously sponsored bills supporting HR 210, ?The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011,? and the inclusion of the Filipino WW vets in the social studies curriculum of schools in California.
Pinoy Harvard grad facing deportation released (tags)
Mark Farrales, a Filipino- American detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for allegedly being an illegal immigrant has been released. According to EPCC NEWS based in Los Angeles, In a phone interview with ABS-CBN North America News Bureau, ICE said they granted a "deferred action" to Mark Farrales for one year to afford him "additional time to pursue his options." Farrales, 31, was detained at the Mira Loma Detention Center in Lancaster, California last October. Farrales's supporters in the Filipino-American community were happy about his release. The online petition against the deportation of Farrales was started by University of California San Diego students where Farrales is getting a doctorate degree. Filipino organizations in LA’s Historic Filipinotown joined this effort. This is the place where Farrales grew up and graduated valedictorian of his high school class.
Pinoy Harvard grad facing deportation released (tags)
A Filipino Harvard graduate detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for allegedly being an illegal immigrant has been released. In a phone interview with ABS-CBN North America News Bureau, ICE said they granted a "deferred action" to Mark Farrales for one year to afford him "additional time to pursue his options." Farrales, 31, was detained at the Mira Loma Detention Center in Lancaster, California last October. Farrales's supporters in the Filipino-American community were happy about his release.
ANSWER conference to honor the Angola 3 and other political prisoners (tags)
ANSWER Coalition leaders and organizers will make presentations and receive awards at the upcoming National Conference on Socialism in Los Angeles. The Nov. 13 and 14 event will feature two days of speakers, panels, organizing sessions, discussion and entertainment at the University of Southern California campus. Hosted by the Party for Socialism and Liberation, hundreds of workers, students, organizers, anti-war activists and progressive people will come together from across the United States.
LETTER TO REP. SPEIER, 12 D-CA (tags)
Thank you for your public announcement of your support for equity! I would like to properly address your questions during our meeting last Friday, July 16th in your district office in my attempt to further elucidate the case of equity for Filipinos and provide an educational tool for your fellow legislators and the American public as we further gather support now for your anticipated sponsorship of a bill on January of 2011.
John DeLloro: Bayani at Lider ng uring Manggagawa (tags)
" Lubos na nakikipagdalamhati ang komunidad ng mga Pilipino-Amerikano sa di-inaasahang pagyao ni John DeLloro,lider mangagawang Pilipino, kagabi, Hunyo 4, 2010 sa Los Angeles. "Nakilala ko si John DeLorro bilang isang organisador ng unyong 399 sa Timog California at masigasig na tagapagtaguyod ng kilusang manggagawa at mga usaping ng Kilusang mapagpalaya sa Pilipinas. Isa siyang namumukod na lider ng komunidad at napakasipag na organisador Pilipino at Asyano. Napatunayan ito ng maging pangulo siya ng APALA," pahayag ni Arturo Garcia ng Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV).
John DeLloro: Bayani at Lider ng uring Manggagawa (tags)
" Lubos na nakikipagdalamhati ang komunidad ng mga Pilipino-Amerikano sa di-inaasahang pagyao ni John DeLloro,lider mangagawang Pilipino, kagabi, Hunyo 4, 2010 sa Los Angeles. "Nakilala ko si John DeLorro bilang isang organisador ng unyong 399 sa Timog California at masigasig na tagapagtaguyod ng kilusang manggagawa at mga usaping ng Kilusang mapagpalaya sa Pilipinas. Isa siyang namumukod na lider ng komunidad at napakasipag na organisador Pilipino at Asyano.
Commemorate the 68th anniversary of Bataan Day, April 9, 1942 (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) Los Angeles Steering Committee cordially invites you to join our commemoration of the 68th anniversary of Bataan Day, which memorializes the military surrender at the Bataan Peninsula. On Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, we will be honoring our local Filipino American World War II veterans, especially those who survived the Bataan Death March, at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) 1740 W Temple St, Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, CA 90026.
FILAMS PROTEST DVA DELAYS< ASKS FOR FULL RECOGNITION! (tags)
DVA DON’T DELAY, SPEED UP THE CLAIMS, YOU’RE BUSTED! Hundreds of protestors led by the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)- a national alliance of veterans, youth marched from Historic Filipinotown in the Temple-Beverly corridor towards downtown Los Angeles to the Federal building to dramatize their protest against long delays and slow-processing of the veterans claims. The JFAV protest march started from FACLA compound at 1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026. The march started at 10; 15 AM after an hour program inside the FACLA social hall. While scores of veterans, widows and seniors rode on vehicles provided by JFAV, hundreds of students from different colleges and universities marched the 2-mile route from Temple St to the federal building. This is the second march by the community led alliance towards downtown LA. The first was in 1997.
JUNE 11 INDEPENDENCE DAY COMMUNITY FORUM HELD IN LA (tags)
Two poles apart. As thousands of well heeled, best dressed Filipinos gathered in a plush hotel for a gala Independence Day night on June 13 for the Philippine consulate, scores of angry Filipino American and their allies voiced out their protests against fake independence in the Philippines. “ Fight for real independence and sovereignty!” —this was the call of the Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP), GABNET-LA and ANSWER-LA as they held their community forum last June 11 at ANSWER office at 137 Virgil St. Los Angeles, CA. 90004.
KALAYAAN (FREEDOM) PHILIPPINES SERIES (tags)
3 Events This Week: Thursday-Saturday, June 11-13 Public Forum, Film Screening & Benefit Concert Presented by AJLPP, GABNet-LA, JFAV and ANSWER Coalition Filipino revolutionaries declared their independence from colonial Spain on June 12, 1898, 119 years ago. Two months later, the United States occupied Manila and declared war on the Philippines, crushing the young republic. Today, Filipinos are still in struggle for true independence and sovereignty. With continued U.S. occupation and intervention, and a culture of impunity of human rights violations forced on the people of the Philippines, the Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP), the GABRIELA Network (GABNet), Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the ANSWER Coalition commemorate Philippine Independence with fierce struggle in the United States. Join us at the following exciting events this week:
Judge removes FACLA officials, orders new election May 31 (tags)
Complaint alleged defendants conducted a fraudulent and improper election on Nov.16, 2008.
RP-US Government Created Huge Problem on Veterans Claims (tags)
The Philippine and United States government created a huge problem about Filipino World War II claims. The JFAV is expecting a lot of applications to be filed until Feb 16, 2010. This is due to the fact that PVAO admitted that there are 40,000 still living veterans in the Philippines. There are around 6,000 veterans living in the United States. In this connection, JFAV National Coordinator Arturo P. Garcia criticized both the Philippine and US governments “for giving false hopes to the poor, disabled and old veterans. What will they say to those veterans who will not be paid. That they were not veterans because they their papers are not in order? “ Garcia also said: “ Besides not giving widows any benefits the law is flawed because it only provided benefits for 18,000 veterans. “
PGMA-POOR COPYCAT OF DICTATOR MARCOS (tags)
President Gloria M. Arroyo is leading the Philippines-the Marcos Way. Pesante-USA scored today the apparent terrible insensitivity and serous callousness of Gloria Arroyo and her penchant for following the way of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in her wild dream of perpetuating herself in power, the way Marcos tried to do during his dictatorial regime.
REMEMBERING MENDIOLA, Jan 22, 2009 at FACLA (tags)
Los Angeles-- REMEMBER MENDIOLA! FIGHT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS! GABNET of the Mariposa Alliance,PESANTE and the Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP) in Los Angeles,marked the 22nd Year of the January 22,1987 Mendiola Massacre, where thirteen (13)protesters were killed and over 150 others were wounded in an educational forum in FACLA, community hall on Jan 22, 2009 in Historic Filipinotown Los Angeles. Speaking before scores of FilAm activists, Arturo Garcia of Pesante and AJLPP explained that the AFP was after the NDF negotiating panel who were in Manila in 1987 during the 60 day ceasefire. Unable to liquidate their targets they pounced on the defend less peasants in Mendiola that day.
REP. MANDANAS VISITS LOS ANGELES, CONDUCTS DIALOGUE WITH FILAM VETERANS (tags)
Philippine Congressman Herminigildo Mandanas together with Los Angeles Consul General Mary Jo B. Aragon held a dialogue with the Filipino American veterans and community leaders last Friday, January 9 at FASGI, 135 N. Parkview St. Los Angeles. They discussed the Filipino Veterans Support Bill, or SB 3689 that passed the Senate hearings last November 17 remains as the foremost concern of the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV). Heated Discussion There was a heated discussion on the lump sum bill when JFAV leader Arturo P. Garcia brought put the fact that the SB 3689 has a quit claim and offers no recognition to the veterans. He also scored the vagueness of the bill.
NEW FACLA BOARD FOR 2009-2011 ASSUMES OFFICEEXECUTIVE OFFICERS FOR 2009-11 (tags)
The new FACLA Board for 2009-2011 led by the new FACLA president Rizalino Manuel of Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) was sworned –in to office last Sunday,January 4. 2009 at FACLA Community Hall. Attended by more than a hundred guests and FACLA members,sworned in as new executive officers were Rizalino Manuel, President;Adolfino Aguayon -1st Vice Pesident; Terry Herrera as 2nd Vice President; Gloria Resureccion as 3rd Vice President; Darlene Salvador as Secretary; Cris Florendo as Treasurer and Romy Jaravata as Auditor.
NEW FACLA BOARD ELECTS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS FOR 2009-11 (tags)
The new FACLA Board led by former FACLA vice-president Rizalino Manuel of Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) met last Sunday, December 7 and elected a new set of executive officers. Elected executive officers were Rizalino Manule, President: Adolfio Aguayon -1st Vice Pesident; Terry Herrera as 2nd Vice President; Gloria Resureccion as 3rd Vice President; Darlene Salvador as Secretary; Cris Florendo as Treasurer and Romy Jaravate as Auditor.
NEW FACLA BOAD ELECTS OFFICERS DEC. 7 (tags)
The Coalition for A Better Community (CBC) led by former FACLA vice-president Rizalino Manuel of Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) board of directors met last Sunday, December 7 and elected a new set of executive officers. Elected executive officers were Rizalino Manule, President: Adolfio Aguayon -1st Vice Pesident; Terry Herrera as 2nd Vice President; Gloria Resureccion as 3rd Vice President; Darlene Salvador as Secretary; Cris Florendo as Treasurer and Romy Jaravate as Auditor.
WIDOWS AND RELATIVES OF FILIPINO VETERANS FORMED AWARE DEC 8 IN LA (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) together with the Society of Guerillas and Scouts (SGS) formed Association of Widow and Relatives of Veterans for Equality or AWARE last Monday, at 10:00 AM December 8, 2008 at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (HPMC) at Fountain St/Vermont, CA 90027. This as they commemorate the formal entry of the United States into the Second World War with the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, 67 years ago.
NEWLY ELECTED FACLA BOARDS ELECTS OFFICERS DEC.7 (tags)
The Coalition for A Better Community (CBC) 15-person slate led by former FACLA vice-president Rizalino Manuel that swept the Nov 16-18, 2008 Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) board of directors elections for the year 2009-2001 will meet on December 7th to elects its executive officers.
CBC SWEEPS FACLA ELECTIONS (tags)
The Coalition for A Better Community (CBC) 15-person slate led by former FACLA vice-president Rizalino Manuel that swept the Nov 16-18, 2008 Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) board of directors elections for the year 2009-2001 will meet on Nov. 30 to elects its executive officers. The elections was held and the counting of votes was conducted by a private elections agency hired by FACLA. The counting of vote and the formal declaration of the outcome of the elections was held in FACLA on Nov 16 and 18, 2008. The CBC made a clean sweep of the elections like what they did in 2001 and 2004 under the leadership of De. Jose Baldonado.
CBC SWEEPS FACLA ELECTIONS (tags)
The Coalition for A Better Community (CBC)'s 15-person slate led by former FACLA vice-president Rizalino > Manuel swept the Nov 16-18, 2008 Filipino American Community > of Los Angeles (FACLA) board of directors elections for the year 2009-2001. The elections was held and the counting of votes was conducted by a private elections agency hired by FACLA. The counting of vote and the formal declaration of the outcome of the elections was held in FACLA on Nov 16 and 18, 2008.
THOUSANDS COMMEMORATE VETERANS DAY NATIONWIDE (tags)
Thousands of students,scores of veterans and hundred of community advocates marched during the VETERANS DAY nationwide in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York and other places - NOVEMBER 8, 2008, in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles. The march and Community Fair started and ended at the at LAKE STREET PARK,227 N. Lake St. Los Angeles, CA 90026. The Veterans Day festivities had started at 10;30 AM at the veterans memorial with an ecumenical mass and wreath laying ceremonies. The solemn tribute started with the national anthems sung by TINIG ng UCLA and the honor guards call on the line. And then the group of community leaders laid a wreath at the memorial monument. Dr. Ben Marte and Mo Nishida led the ecumenical services.
THOUSANDS COMMEMORATE VETERANS DAY NATIONWIDE (tags)
Thousands of students,scores of veterans and hundred of community advocates marched during the VETERANS DAY nationwide in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York and other places - NOVEMBER 8, 2008, in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles. The march and Community Fair started and ended at the at LAKE STREET PARK,227 N. Lake St. Los Angeles, CA 90026. The Veterans Day festivities had started at 10;30 AM at the veterans memorial with an ecumenical mass and wreath laying ceremonies. The solemn tribute started with the national anthems sung by TINIG ng UCLA and the honor guards call on the line. And then the group of community leaders laid a wreath at the memorial monument. Dr. Ben Marte and Mo Nishida led the ecumenical services.
THOUSANDS MARCHED AT THE ANNUAL VETERANS DAY PARADE IN HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN LA NOV.8 (tags)
Thousands of students,scores of veterans and hundred of community advocates marched during the 8th Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) 8th VETERANS DAY PARADE and Community Fair NOVEMBER 8, 2008, in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles. The march and Community Fair started and ended at the at LAKE STREET PARK,227 N. Lake St. Los Angeles, CA 90026. The Veterans Day festivities had started at 10;30 AM at the veterans memorial with an ecumenical mass and wreath laying ceremonies. The solemn tribute started with the national anthems sung by TINIG ng UCLA and the honor guards call on the line. And then the group of community leaders laid a wreath at the memorial monument. Dr. Ben Marte and Mo Nishida led the ecumenical services.
JFAV Optomistic on the passage of the veterans benefits bill this year. (tags)
Taking time-off from its hectic activities to pass the veterans benefits bill pending in the US Congress, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (HPMC) commemorated the 64th Year of the Leyte landing, October 20, 1944- the start of the Liberation of the Philippines with the proper rites at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (HPMC) in Vermont and Fountain St in Los Angeles on Oct. 22, 2008. The veterans and their advocates are still very hopeful that the US Congress will convene the joint conference committee to reconcile the three separate bills for Filipino veterans. At present the S. 1315, HR 6897 and the Chat Edwards bill that appropriated $198 million for the veterans needs to be reconciled. The JFAV and the ACFV is still highly optimistic that the reconciled bill that will grant recognition and give benefits to the Filipino veterans will be enacted before the US Congress ends this year.
A CALL TO ACTION: PASS THE EQUITY BILL, NOW! (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), an alliance of veterans, students, youth and community advocates calls on all Filipinos, Filipino Americans and allies to write to Speaker of the House Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and 245 congresspersons to discuss and pass the equity bill, HB 760 pending before the lower house of the US Congress, NOW! Last July 18 and 19, during the emergency conference of the JFAV ,Filipino veterans groups like PAVA-SC, SGS and UFAV with the Washington ACFV we decided to ask for a vote on th HR 760 on the floor of the US Congress. This is after a long wait and the promise of Speaker Pelosi that " if we got 290 votes she will put the bill on the floor." We feel that at most we have 220 votes to pass the bill. Waiting for 290 will just delay the bill to eternity. For four times, Congressman Bob Filner and Pelosi promised to pass the bill for the last two years to no avail. Please email, write them letters and call or fax their offices for them to act on the bill ASAP. The US Congress is ending its session by August 31. Remember its election time this year. Let not the elections sidetrack our advocacy for our veterans.
EPCC Supports UHW-West mass action in LA (tags)
The Echo PArk Community Coalition (EPCC) supports the mass action on July 14 is slated to be held at the Manhattan Beach Marriot Hotel by the United Health Care Workers (UHW) -West against the plan of the SEIU /International to divide the UHW-West. The mass action by the UHW-West was called for the hearing that could result in tearing apart the UHW based on a plan by the SEIU International to divide the UHW. The 150,000 UHW which has a large Filipino membership among its unionized workers is a member of the SEIU International which has 2 million members.
TILL NO EQUITY BILL, PGMA US VISIT-A SPOILER? (tags)
The Justice for Filipino Veterans (JFAV) expressed dismay that the equity bill was not discussed last Wednesday, June 25. Instead, the legislative visit or the lobby by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took precedence in the House of Representatives. She awarded the "order of the golden" heart in behalf of her government for US representatives even if the US lower house did not act upon the bill and discussed it on the floor. The information received from the veterans lobby group in Washington DC, the American Coalition of Filipino Veterans (ACFV) said the bill will a chance to be voted on the floor on Wednesday, June 25. But it was not the case.
Memorial Meetings For Ka Bel Held in the US (tags)
A simple, solemn and intimate memorial meetings by Filipinos. Filipino-Americans and international solidarity allies were held in the cities of New York and Los Angeles in the United States last May 27 and 28 as Ka Bel was laid to rest in the Philippines. Other memorial meetings are also slated to be held in Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle next week. Scores of activists from the Alliance-Philippines, Gabriela Network-USA and International solidarity groups like International ANSWER, Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), Justice for Filipino Americans (JFAV) and LAANE held the memorial meetings to pay their last respects to Ka Bel in Historic Filipinotown and Queens, New York.
The fight for Filipino veterans' equity: A struggle against racism (tags)
After 63 years, the U.S. Senate finally passed the Veterans Expanded Benefits Bill on April 24 with a vote of 96 to 1. But can this act of Congress giveA back justice and equity for Filipino veterans who were denied their rights for 63 long years? The Philippines was a colony of the United States when World War II broke out in 1941. In a hurry to defend its colonial possessions in the Pacific, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt formed the United States Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) and integrated the 70,000-strong Commonwealth Army of the Philippines into the 30,000-troop U.S. army in the Philippines on July 26, 1941.
CDIR-USA Condemns ICE Raids in Los Angeles and Iowa (tags)
The Coalition to Defend Immigrant Rights (CDIR)-USA and the Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) based in Los Angeles today, vehemently condemns the ICE raid that arrested almost 400 immigrants at the Agriprocessors Inc. in Postville, Iowa, the largest kosher slaughterhouse in the world In Los Angeles, the KFPK radio announced that the ICE raid occurred in south central LA with ICE agents loaded on 2 trucks. At least 61 immigrants from Nicaragua,Mexico and Guatemala were arrested by ICE agents. CDIR Coordinator Arturo Garcia branded the ICE raids as “anti-immigrants and “Nazi styled Gestapo raids”.
FAIR –PWC Press Conference Held April 26 for LA May 1 Mass Action (tags)
In response to nationally coordinated raids conducted by Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) and the pressing problems of immigration by more than 12 million immigrants including 1.5 million Filipinos in the U,S, the Filipino Americans for Immigration Reform (FAIR) and the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) held a Press Conference at the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) on April 26, 2008 in preparation for the May 1 Rally Immigrant Workers Day March-Rally in downtown Los Angeles. The FAIR press conference JUSTICE FOR IMMIGRANTS was well attended by different immigrant rights, youth, student,World War II veterans and community advocates. Some of the speakers in the press conference were Paolo Espiritu: FAIR convemor; Aquilina Soriano Versoza: PWC Executive Director; Arturo Garcia: JFAV and AJLPP deputy coordinator :Jollene Levid: Gabriela Network organizer; Tracy Lachica Buenavista: Assistant Professor Dept. of Asian American Studies, Cal State Northridge; Carmina Ocampo: UCLA Asian Pacific Islander Law Student Associatio; Anna Sterling: UCLA Samahang Pilipino at UCLA; Nimual A. Ornillo: USC Troy Philippines president; Joel Baustita: March 25th Coalition and MIWON.
JUSTICE AND EQUITY NOW! (tags)
After 63 years, finally US Senate on April 24, 2008 passed the Veterans Expanded Benefits Bill with a vote of 96-1. This bill is generally an omnibus bill enhancing benefits to most US veterans. The provision of S.57 was partly incorporated in S. 1315 which will afford the Filipino veterans in the US to receive the same benefits as those of their US veteran counterpart. Those who are residing in the Philippines shall receive a monthly special pension of $300/month if the bill is finally signed into law. The Senate also voted 56-41 to defeat the effort of Sen. Richard Burr(R, NC) to redirect pension to wards U.S veterans. Almost all those who opposed the bill including Senator Burr and Craig voted for the bill. Democratic Senator Barack Obama who promised to vote for the bill and Republican candidate John McCain were not able to vote and were absent. Senator Hillary Clinton voted for the bill. Work Ahead “Our work has just begun our next target will be the House of Representatives to pass the bill and give justice, equity and correct the errors of racism for the Filipino World War II veterans” Arturo Garcia. JFAV and People’s CORE Coordinator said. For more than half a century, the Filipino World War II veterans have been seeking for just and equal recognition as US veterans. The house bill HR 760 should continue to gain support from legislators in the House with the passage of S. 1315 in Senate.
FAIR –PWC Press Conference Held April 26 for LA May 1 Mass Action (tags)
In response to nationally coordinated raids conducted by Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) and the pressing priblmes of immigration by more than 12 million immigrants including 1.5 million Filipinos in the U,S, the Filipino Americans for Immigration Reform (FAIR) and the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) held a Press Conference at the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) on April 26, 2008 in preparation for the May 1 Rally Immigrant Workers Day March-Rally in downtown Los Angeles. The FAIR press conference JUSTICE FOR IMMIGRANTS was well attended by different immigrant rights, youth, student,World War II veterans and community advocates. Some of the peakers in the press conference were Paolo Espiritu: FAIR convemor; Aquilina Soriano Versoza: PWC Executive Director; Arturo Garcia: JFAV and AJLPP deputy coordinator :Jollene Levid: Gabriela Network organizer; Tracy Lachica Buenavista: Assistant Professor Dept. of Asian American Studies, Cal State Northridge; Carmina Ocampo: UCLA Asian Pacific Islander Law Student Associatio; Anna Sterling: UCLA Samahang Pilipino at UCLA; Nimual A. Ornillo: USC Troy Phil
US Senate Passes Equity Bill, 96-1 (tags)
The US Senate began deliberation on S.1315 or the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill on April 22, 2008 and today, with a vote of 96-1, the bill was finally passed. This bill is generally an omnibus bill enhancing benefits to most US veterans. The provision of S.57 was partly incorporated in S. 1315 which will afford the Filipino veterans in the US to receive the same benefits as those of their US veteran counterpart. Those who are residing in the Philippines shall receive a monthly special pension of $300/month if the bill is finally signed into law. " We would like to thank the leadership of the Senators Inouye and Senator Akaka and all veterans advocates especially the youth for making it a possibility for this bill to pass. This is our long awaited desire to be recognized for all our sacrifices during World War II," said veteran leader Peping Baclig, National JFAV Coordinator..
LOS ANGELES RALLY AGAINST RESCISSION ACT, FEBRUARY 19 (tags)
MONEY FOR FILIPINO VETERANS, NOT FOR WAR! ALL WE WANT IS JUSTICE, ALL WE WANT IS EQUITY! Despite the inclement weather, the militant slogans from the Filipino World War II Veterans, students, youth and community members reverberated along Los Angeles Street in front of the INS Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles as scores of activist rallied for one and a half hours last uesday, February 19 to mark the 62nd year of the infamous Rescission Act of 1946.
Free the Cuba Five Billboard in LA Unveiled, February 1, 2008 (tags)
The Free The Cuban Five Billboard along the busy Hollywood Blvd. and Bronson St. was unveiled with a press conference attended by scores of solidarity activists last February 1, 2008. Speakers at the press conference includes Jim Lafferty, Executive Director of the National Lawyers League-Los Angeles Chapter; Blasé Bonpane, Executive Director, Office of the Americas; Gloria La Riva, National Coordinator of Free the Cuba Five; Sheila Esguerra of ANSWER –LA and Arturo P.Garcia of the Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP). Ian Thompson of ANSWER-LA acted as the emcee. For more information about the Free the Cuban Five see www.freethefive.org
FORUM FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS HELD IN SAN FRANCISCO (tags)
The 2008 Immigration Forum called “Preparing the Fields to Plant the Seeds” was held last Saturday, January 26, 2008 from 12: 00 to 5:00 PM at the Mission Presbyterian Church at 3261 23rd St. in downtown San Francisco, CA. The immigration forum discussed the Dream Act, the Sanctuary Movement, the Kennedy-McCain Proposals and anti-immigrant bashing in the United States. They also discussed the roots and causes of imm9gration. The forum was sponsored by the Faith in the Movement Coalition (FMC) composed by Manos Unidas Community Center of the Mission, Alliance For A Just and Lasting Peace (AJLPP), Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) Damayan New York-New Jersey, Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights, JAC of the Presbyterian Church of the USA, KM Pro People Youth, Grace Urban Ministries and the Mission Presbyterian Church.
JFAV STAGED DEATH MARCH REENACTMENT AT 16th FPAC, SEPT.9 (tags)
What was thought to be the “last Festival of Pilipino Arts and Culture” ” – the 16th Annual FPAC to be exact turned out to be a resounding success! The festival presented b FILAMARTS called “HANDOG” ( Offering). The festival organizers explained that “ what makes the festival distinct was it was built fro, the ground up. “ They also acknowledged the fact that it defended on the support of the community, business groups and artist and they make the weekend event get through. This FPAC saw the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) staged a solemn re-enactment of the infamous Death March from Bataan to Tarlac in April 1942. The nine-day march cost he lives of more than 30,000 Filipino and Americans out of the more than 90,000 who surrendered in Bataan were brutalized by the Japanese along the 60 kilometer route during the Second World War in the Philippines.
JFAV STAGED DEATH MARCH REENACTMENT AT 16th FPAC, SEPT.9 (tags)
What was thought to be the “last Festival of Pilipino Arts and Culture” ” – the 16th Annual FPAC to be exact turned out to be a resounding success! The festival presented b FILAMARTS called “HANDOG” ( Offering). The festival organizers explained that “ what makes the festival distinct was it was built fro, the ground up. “ They also acknowledged the fact that it defended on the support of the community, business groups and artist and they make the weekend event get through. This FPAC saw the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) staged a solemn re-enactment of the infamous Death March from Bataan to Tarlac in April 1942. The nine-day march cost he lives of more than 30,000 Filipino and Americans out of the more than 90,000 who surrendered in Bataan were brutalized by the Japanese along the 60 kilometer route during the Second World War in the Philippines.
June 24 March-Rally For Immigrants Rights in LA - A Success (tags)
More than 15,000 immigrants and advocates militantly but peacefully marched last Sunday, June 24 in Hollywood to express their sentiments on the ongoing immigrant rights bill in the U.S Congress. Despite the anti-Minutemen rally in south central LA earlier Saturday, threats of ICE raids against immigrants, the oppressive heat and the watchful presence of hundreds of police and county deputies, the more than an hour immigrant rights march occupied more than six blocks from Sunset Street to the rally site at Highland Street in Los Angeles. The April 7 Coalition that led the more than 50,000 mobilization in Los Angeles includes the Latino Movement USA, Hermanidad Mexican National, the ANSWER Coalition and the Coalition in Defense of immigrant Rights (CDIR) and People’s CORE, Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC), UTLA and COFEM led this march rally. Other groups that participated in the march rally were AJLPP, KmB, Gabriela, CHIRLA, Comite Pro Uno, Dream Act Students Coalition, Imigrantes Unid
More than 15,000 Immigrants March-Rallied June 24 (tags)
More than 15,000 immigrants and advocates militantly but peacefully marched last Sunday, June 24 in Hollywood to express their sentiments on the ongoing immigrant rights bill in the U.S Congress. Despite the oppressive heat and under the watchful eyes of hundreds of full armed police and county deputies, the more than an hour immigrant rights march occupied more than six blocks from Sunset Street to the rally site at Highland Street in Los Angeles. Although the march-rally was smaller than the earlier marches and rallies that numbered in tens of thousands, that saw police repression and threats of deportations and raids , immigrants and their advocates marched in militant, peaceful and festive mood
JFAV Questions RP Embassy Data that Only 18,155 Filipino war vets are to benefit from US (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) adamantly questions the number of Filipino World War II veterans are expected to benefit from the equity bills awaiting action in both houses of the United States Congress, as reported in major newspapers. Newspapers quoted the report of Philippine Ambassador to the US Willy Gaa that only 18,155 of this number remain alive, according to Gaa.?"After the US Army left in 1948 with its list of Filipino WWII veterans, the Armed Forces of the Philippines continued to list late registrants," But for JFAV, a community-veterans alliance based in California; “ the crux of the problem is that the main stream newspapers report did not report the other half of what Gaa reported that PVAO reported that figures of 33, 571 living veterans in the Philippines as of May 2007. PVAO also reported 54,000 living Filipino veterans in the Philippines in 2002.”
Two Washington Meetings, One Goal: Stop Political Killings in the Philippines (tags)
Leaders and members of Baptist, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, ANSWER Seattle, Veterans for Peace and the Alliance for a Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP) will fund-raise on Mar 16, Friday at 6 PM at the University Baptist Church in Seattle, Washington to publish a full page ad in the leading newspaper in the Philippines demanding among others an immediate end to political killings that to date have claimed 840 lives of social activists.
On the 65h Year of the Formation of the USAFFE (tags)
On the 65th Anniversary of the impression of Filipino Army to the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) today, on July 26, 1941 different groups held different kinds of commemoration all over California.FAV, People’s CORE are calling all Filipino American community activists, youth leaders and all concerned individuals and organizations all over the United States to be vigilant and struggle to have the Senate Bill or any compromise bill pass with the amendment for Filipino American veterans and their families.