Great news to all surviving Filipino veterans who fought for the Americans against the Japanese during Word War II. Pinoy Vets were offered benefits for being US allies, but were disqualified for most of the benefits when the U.S Congress passed the Rescission Act of 1946, which stripped them of the said benefits.
However, a stimulus package was signed by President Barack Obama, which allows Genito and others to receive their dues.
Jose Genito lives on Cottage Street – in Journal Square area of Jersey City – with his wife Justa
OVERDUE PAY
Filipino vets will finally get WWII monies
Monday, March 02, 2009
By TOM SHORTELL
JOURNAL STAFF WRITERFor nearly three years, Jersey City resident Jose Genito fought the Japanese as a guerrilla soldier in his native Philippines. In 1944, the Filipino government presented him with a bronze star for risking his life to carry his wounded commander out of the line of fire.
“That was my duty as a Filipino,” said Genito, 87. “We volunteered to fight the enemies of democracy.”
Now with the stimulus package signed into law by President Barack Obama, Genito and other surviving Filipino veterans are in line to receive more than medals for fighting the Japanese during World War II.
According to a provision of the law championed by U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, Filipino soldiers who are now American citizens are each to receive a one-time lump sum payment of $15,000, and non-citizens will receive $9,000. The payout will total roughly $198 million, officials said.
Genito, who lives on Cottage Street with his wife Justa, said his $15,000 will go toward the education of his grandchildren in the Philippines.
The money is intended to make good on a promise by President Franklin Roosevelt, who in 1941 offered benefits to Filipinos who fought with the Allies against the Japanese.
After the war however, Congress passed the Rescission Act of 1946, which declared Filipino veterans ineligible for most of the benefits.
“By stripping them of their benefits, it meant their recognition as a soldier was gone. They were stripped of their honor and dignity,” said Rosalinda Mayo, spokeswoman of the Philippine-American Veterans Organization, Inc. in Jersey City.
While Genito is grateful for the money, he realizes the act leaves some in the cold. The families of dead veterans get nothing. Of the 250,000 Filipinos who fought in World War II, only 15,000 are still alive, according to the American Coalition of Filipino Veterans. Genito and Mayo both estimated there are fewer than five Filipino veterans still living in Jersey City; four other veterans died just last year, Mayo said.”I pity those widows not included,” Genito said, urging them to fight on. “Ask your congressman why you are not included in this act. If you keep quiet, if you don’t voice your opinion, this act will not help you.” News Source: Jersey Journal
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