WASHINGTON, (VIA PLDT)—The US Congress on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) hoisted the American flag in sympathy for the victims of the ferry that capsized off Sibuyan Island in Romblon province at the height of Typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen).

The flag of the day was later given to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo by US lawmakers in an unusual ceremony on the first day of the Washington leg of her 10-day working visit.

The sympathy gesture was made hours after Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte announced after a meeting with Ms Arroyo that a US Navy search-and-rescue vessel and a reconnaissance plane had been dispatched to the Philippines in a race against time to find surviving passengers of the MV Princess of the Stars.

Ms Arroyo conferred the Order of the Golden Heart (rank of Grand Cross) on four US lawmakers—Sen. Daniel Akaka, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representatives Darrel Issa and Bob Filner, key proponents of the Veterans Equity Bill that would benefit Filipino war veterans—when the surprise gift was presented to her.

The conferment ceremony was held during an elegant dinner hosted by Ms Arroyo in honor of the US lawmakers on Monday (Washington time) at the Willard InterContinental hotel, where she and her party were billeted.

The dinner was attended by more than 30 members of the Philippine House of Representatives and a number of Arroyo Cabinet officials.

Sen. Harry Reid, the majority leader who helped push the passage of Senate Bill No. 1315 with a vote of 96-1 in April, received the award earlier in the day.

Also on the list of recipients were Sen. Richard Lugar and Rep. Michael Honda, who did not come.

Red sash, medallions

“The Order of the Golden Heart represents our nation’s humble way of recognizing those who help give life to the noble aspirations of the Filipino people,” Ms Arroyo said after putting the red sash and medallions on each of the awardees.

“We’re here tonight to honor our distinct awardees with the Golden Heart award for their exemplary contributions to the Filipino people, especially to Filipino veterans. The Golden Heart award was given to those with a golden heart, one that radiates hope for our nation and our people,” she said.

In a speech, Ms Arroyo also said relations between the Philippines and the United States would “always be close as well as special.”

She said the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) made a survey in April of countries most supportive of the United States. “And you guessed it, Filipinos are, hands down, the most supportive nation of the US in the world,” she said, adding:

“And so, on behalf of the 85 million Filipinos and their families and friends who make up the four million Philippine-American community, thank you for continuing the deep friendship.”

White and black box

In his acceptance speech, Issa raised the subject of the sea tragedy.

“Today, because of the tragedy in the Philippines, we took the time to fly a flag over the Capitol in honor, memories and prayers for the men and women either lost, recovered or trapped still in that ferry,” he said.

Issa, one of the staunchest proponents of the Filipino veterans equity bill, paused to retrieve a package from his seat and then handed Ms Arroyo a white and black box.

“I know the rescue is still under way so it’s not a very good gift packaging under the House rules. But it is the flag that was flown today over the Capitol for that reason,” Issa said.

In response, Ms Arroyo said:

“We do appreciate how you (Issa) care about our Filipinos and we do hope, as you have said, that we will find more survivors. And thank you for all the support you have given.

“And I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everybody here in the Capitol, who has expressed sympathy and provided support for our efforts in the Philippines. We are very happy we have so many friends here in Washington.”

US assistance

Negroponte and Ms Arroyo had a 30-minute meeting on Monday morning, after which they held a joint press conference outside the Willard.

Flanked by Negroponte, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Ms Arroyo said:

“We were deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives, particularly the tragedy of the sinking of the passenger ferry Princess of the Stars.

“Our American friends are here to announce emergency aid and assistance to help the Philippines in this hour of need. In the wake of this natural disaster, we have reported that even as we speak, a US ship is steaming to aid in the search and rescue of the Princess of the Stars. More assistance is forthcoming.”

Said Negroponte, who served as US ambassador to the Philippines in 1993-96: “We want to express our condolences to the government and the people of the Philippines, particularly the family members of those affected by this tragedy. And I want to also confirm what the President said—that we have made a donation for the victims to the Philippine Red Cross and that equally, or perhaps more important, the US Navy is also sending a vessel to the scene of the accident ... It should be there in a matter of hours. In addition, we have been talking with our naval authorities and they are looking at other ways in which they might also be of assistance.

“So again, I would just like to repeat on behalf of the United States government, that our hearts go out to the government and people of the Philippines, particularly the victims of this terrible tragedy...”

Dureza said that as of early Monday, the USNS Gysgt Fred Stockham, an airlift command vessel with search-and-rescue helicopters on board, was 15 hours away from the area where the ferry sank.

He said a US Navy P-3 4-engine maritime surveillance aircraft, which can take images from under the sea, was also due to arrive in the area.

Bush-Arroyo meeting

Kenney said the US government had donated $100,000 for the victims through the Philippine National Red Cross.

She said US President George W. Bush would personally convey the American government and people’s condolences during his meeting with Ms Arroyo at the White House Oval Office on Tuesday (Washington time).

It is Ms Arroyo’s third meeting with Bush at the White House since she became the President in 2001, and her first visit with him since diplomatic ties were strained when the Philippines pulled out of Iraq.

She said Ms Arroyo’s visit—which is under fire at home because of the sea tragedy—was in good time.

“It is always timely to have the President of the Philippines talking with the President of the United States. Remember, they’re longtime friends. The Philippines is one of our closest allies, and there’s a lot of important issues to talk about, not only on natural disasters but also on [collaboration] on Myanmar (Burma), ASEAN, economic issues,” Kenney said.

When the two leaders met for about an hour starting at 9:35 a.m. (9:35 p.m. in Manila) Tuesday, they discussed such issues as the Filipino war veterans, the latest sea disaster, terrorism, food security and high oil prices, and regional security.

Ms Arroyo was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Interior Seretary Ronaldo Puno, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, House Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar and Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr., consul general in San Francisco.

They were met by White House deputy chief of protocol Rey Martinez.

Before November polls

Ms Arroyo has pressed for the passage of the Filipino veterans equity bill in her separate meetings with Bush and other leaders here.

During a luncheon meeting with reporters Tuesday (Wednesday dawn in Manila), Ms Arroyo said: "I made a strong case for why the Filipino veterans of World War II deserve equity and I've asked for the understanding and support of the leaders of America."

"This is consistent with one major aim of this trip--to help fight for passage of the Filipino veterans equity bill that's part of a larger bill pending in Congress," she said.

Filipino veterans’ groups and officials are banking on the US House of Representatives to pass a veterans bill before the US Congress adjourns in July, and especially before the November presidential election.

Mike Barnes, a former US congressman who is engaged in lobby work for the Philippines, said the veterans bill would “die” if the present Congress failed to pass it before November.

Martin Gold, another ex-congressman helping lobby the US Congress for passage of the veterans bill, said in a press briefing at the Philippine Embassy in Washington that there was no question about bipartisan support for the measure.

But, according to Gold and Barnes, US veterans and some legislators are worried that the veterans bill could take away funds from other veterans.

Retired Gen. Delfin Lorenzana, head of the Philippine Embassy’s Office of Veterans Affairs, said US Senate Bill No. 1315 was expected to cost $350 million over 10 years.

Offset problem

The measure seeks to grant a $375 monthly pension for married veterans, $300 for the singles and $200 for the widows of some 12,000 veterans living in the Philippines.

But there is a proposed compromise to the so-called offset problem, or the source of the funds, Congressman Issa said.

“We will use oil revenues because [these] have been rising ... As you know, there are 41 million acres of federal lands that yield oil, so there are plenty of revenues that can be tapped from that,” he said.