DAVAO CITY – Winning their discrimination case against the U.S. government and finally getting full military benefits could have given them the perfect gift this holiday season. But once again, these Filipino World War II veterans ended up empty-handed.
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Court of Appeals decision and denied the appeal in a case that would have granted full benefits to about 120,000 surviving Filipino World War II veterans and their widows.
"Wala na, namatay na yung pag-asa ng mga beterano at widows na magkaroon ng full recognition. Nakakalungkot nga pero ganun talaga yung nangyari," said Violy Reyes, coordinator for the advocacy-group Justice for Filipino-American Veterans (JFAV), said.
The case did not close based on merits, but on procedure. The Supreme Court wanted the case to be heard by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Judicial Board.
But according to JFAV, this process could take a long time. There are reportedly about 600,000 claims pending right now with the DVA Judicial Board. The advocates feel the case would not be heard fairly, because the case is against the DVA itself.
The veterans admitted they are losing hope.
"This discrimination against us is wrong, and it needs to be corrected," Aquilino Delen, a Filipino World War II veteran, said.
Veterans’ advocates said that technically it’s not a closed case, because no oral arguments were heard at the Supreme Court. They could still file a new case with the district courts, but that means spending more money and that’s something the veterans don’t have.
Their other recourse is to convince lawmakers to finally pass the Filipino American Veterans Fairness Act, which would give them full benefits.
The veterans said if they can’t win in court, they can win in Congress.
“May kasabihan nga na pagnabubuhay ay may pag-asa,” Filipino veteran Porfirio Robea concluded.
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