Founders of RP-US Friendship Caucus Reiterate Determination to Pass Filipino Veterans Benefits in House of Representatives
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Left Photo: Representative Bob Filner (Democrat-California) at center with Charge d’Affaires Carlos Sorreta to his left and Minister for Legislative Affairs Eduardo de Vega to his right. Right Photo: Representative Darrell Issa (Republican-California) at left, with Charge d’Affaires Carlos Sorreta and Minister for Legislative Affairs Eduardo de Vega to his left. Present at the meetings but not in the photos was Maj. General Delfin Lorenzana (ret), head of the Veterans Affairs Office of the Philippine Embassy.
6 May 2008, Washington DC – Two key Congressional leaders and founders of the Philippine-US Friendship Caucus today reiterated their determination to pass the law that would grant benefits to Filipino World War II veterans. Representative Bob Filner (Democrat-California), currently the Chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and Representative Darrell Issa (Republican-California) assured Philippine Embassy officials that they would redouble their efforts to pass in the House the bill that was previously passed in the Senate (S.1315) which contained provisions giving benefits to Filipino World War II veterans. Embassy officials met with the two key Congressional leaders today to plan out further steps that will have to be taken to ensure the passage of the bill. Working with the Filipino veterans and their supporters, as well as with the Filipino-American Community, the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulates in the United States continue to vigorously pursue the passage of the law that would finally grant benefits to Filipino World War II veterans.