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WASHINGTON D.C.--An optimistic President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday thanked American congressmen who have been supportive of the Filipino veterans equity bill, saying it is not yet too late to honor their services as she pressed further for the passage of the proposed measure.
"Today, the history remains incomplete. The last chapter is yet to be written. It's not too late to honor the services of all our fathers -- American and Philippine -- Filipinos," Arroyo told the Philippine-US Friendship Caucus, an 82-member bipartisan group of American congressmen supportive of the Philippines.
"They fought for America. They believed in the promise of America. To paraphrase another great American President Abraham Lincoln, we must now call on the ‘better angels of our nature’ and set our sights high," she said quoting a phrase from Lincoln’s first inaugural address.
This is why in her 10-day trip to the United States, Arroyo said she has been personally promoting the interest of the Filipino veterans who fought with Americans during World War II in her separate meetings with US President George W. Bush and some members of Congress.
"It is the time we honor the past as we build for the future. Equity for Philippine veterans of World War II is within our grasp as never before," she further said.
In his opening statement, Congressman Bob Filner of California urged Arroyo to make a final push for the bill.
"We're working very hard on that (bill) but we hope that you (Arroyo) give it a final push," Filner said.
"We hope that the final push was also given by the President when she spoke with our President (George W. Bush)," he further said.
Talking to reporters, Filner expressed confidence that the House would be able to pass the bill before the year ends.
The Senate has already passed the measure but it remains pending for plenary approval in the lower chamber.
The congressman said a simple majority or 218 of 435 members of the US House is only needed to pass the measure but, to be safe, he said they will try to get a two-third vote, or 290 members in favor of the measure.
"We will get justice for the veterans before this year is over. The President's trip is a great help," Filner said.
On the issue of funding, Filner said they will plug a loophole in the law that allows veterans, who are not completely able, to claim their benefits.
"That's more than enough money to fund what we need to do with our Filipino veterans," he added.
