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For the past 21 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
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This website includes selected articles from this week's edition of the Filipino Express. Not all the stories published in the printed version appear on this site.
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60 Republican House members needed to keep Filvets bill going
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CHICAGO – Taking a cue from the strategy taken by the U.S. Senate when Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), who succeeded in invoking the “cloture” motion for S. 1315, the staff of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) suggested to the supporters of the H.R. (House of Representatives) No. 760, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007, that the House can invoke “suspension of rules” if they can get at least 60 Republican Congressmen to support the bill during a vote on the House floor.
Eric Lachica, executive director of the Arlington, Virginia-based American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV), said that since there are 230 Democratic members of the House in the 108th Congress, which has 435 members, an additional 60 Republican House members, will be needed to “reach the crucial number of 290 or 2/3 votes of the 435 to win the floor vote for S. 1315 when “the suspension of rules” will be invoked for this bill.
Under the “suspension of rules,” the bill is “debatable for 40 minutes, one half of the time in favor of the proposition and one-half in opposition.” The bill is passed “only by affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Members voting, a quorum being present, this procedure is usually used for expedited consideration of relatively noncontroversial public measures.” This procedure will minimize legislative delays to overcome opposition among them from Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Indiana), the ranking member of the House Veteran Affairs Committee, and the possible Bush presidential veto.
Before Senator Akaka obtained the 96 to 1 votes for the overwhelming passage of Sen. 1315 last April 24, the chairman of the U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee invoked a “cloture” motion that needed at least 60 votes in the Senate to put the bill into a floor vote. The final vote on cloture was 94 in favor and 0 opposed.
“With the overwhelming political momentum generated by the Senate bi-partisan vote of 96-1 last month, we were assured by the Speaker’s staff that the House leadership could deliver the 230 Democrat votes on the floor,” Lachica said.
In the meeting were ACFV vets – Guillermo Rumingan of Virginia; Joaquin Tejada, District of Columbia; Fred Diaz and Nick Casino of New Jersey; Mr. & Mrs. Jose and Monina Nuega of Sacramento, California; and retired Gen. Delfin Lorenzada and Minister Ed De Vega of the Philippine Embassy.
Rep. Darrel Issa (R-Vista CA), co-chair of the Philippine- US Congressional Caucus and original sponsor of the Filipino Equity bills in prior years, had earlier brought up the “suspension of rules” scenario. Rep. Bob Filner (D-SD CA), chairman of the U.S. House veterans affairs committee, also confirmed this scenario.
Mr. Issa has written a “Dear Colleague” letter two weeks ago, urging his fellow Republican congressmen to support the Senate version. Among those expected to support Mr. Issa’s entreaties are Reps. Brian Bilbray, Dana Rohrabacher and ten other current Republican cosponsors of the H.R. 670. Lachica said they have also asked Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon CA) for his support.
The ACFV and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) urged Filipino Americans to call, fax or email their representatives to support H.R. 760.
Senate Bill 1315 is a comprehensive veterans bill approved by the Senate Veterans’ Affairs committee last June. It includes provisions that grant benefits to Filipino World War II veterans living in the Philippines. It provides for a flat rate of $3,600 annual non-service disability pension for single Filipino veterans living in the Philippines; $4,500 annually for married veterans; and $2,400 annually for surviving spouses.
Because H.R. 760 offers higher benefits to the Filipino veterans, there is likelihood that Chairman Filner will notbe introducing the original version to minimize the controversy of this “budget neutral” bill. A “budget neutral” is a funding sourced from savings from existing funds.
H.R 760, as approved by the House Veterans Affairs Committee, contains key provisions that directly affect Filipino World War II veterans.
• Restores full veterans’ status to Filipino veterans of World War II who had this taken away under the Rescission Acts of 1946. This ends a long-standing injustice, and fulfills our nation’s promises to those who served. (Same as Senate bill)
• Permits Filipino veterans of World War II who suffer from disabilities incurred or aggravated by military service with service-connection to receive compensation at the same rate as other U.S. veterans, regardless of where they live. (Amendment from Senate bill)
• Permits those eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) to receive those benefits at the same rate as other U.S. veterans, regardless of where they live. (Amendment from Senate bill)
• Permits Filipino veterans of World War II and survivors residing in the United States to receive pensions and death pensions paid at the same rate and under the same conditions as U.S. veterans. (Same as Senate bill)
• Permits non-U.S. citizen Filipino veterans of World War II residing outside of the United States to be eligible for a pension and death pension paid at a flat rate. (Amendment from Senate bill) $8,400 if married; ,000 if not married; ,600 for low-income widow
• If an individual is receiving ocial Security overseas, he or she is not eligible for the above-mentioned program.
Additionally, an individual may not receive benefits under this chapter if receipt of such benefits would reduce monetary benefits from a foreign government. (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)
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CHICAGO -- David Diaz may have expressed his over confidence tongue-in-cheek but Manny Pacquiao should get the drift that the World Boxing Council champion will not be giving up his belt easily to Manny on a silver platter.
In one of the exchanges at the press conference Tuesday (May 13) called to promote the upcoming 12 round WBC Lightweight Championship fight at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino Events Center on June 28, the 31-year-old Diaz said that if he beats Pacquiao, he is going “to give him (Pacquiao) a rematch.”
Diaz’ aside drew laughter from the crowded press conference held at Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, California because many boxing experts regard Diaz as the underdog in his quest to stop Pacquiao from turning him into another statistic in Pacquao’s impressive resume. Because Pacquiao had defeated and sent into retirement some of Mexico’s best boxers, Pacquiao is now being tagged as the “Mexicutioner.”
But the Filipino champion, who was surprised by Diaz’ cockiness, showed that he was not taking Diaz’ comment very lightly either by revealing that part of his game plan is to be “more aggressive.” He added that he will be “more counterpunching and I will be making good use of my speed” when he faces Diaz in what is billed as “Lethal Combination.”
Former Tempo sports editor-turned-Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Pinol who was asked by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum to make a statement said, “we are delighted that Mr. David Diaz gave Mr. Pacquiao an opportunity to challenge his title.” Mr. Pinol, himself a part time boxing promoter, will be accompanying Mr. Pacquiao when the Filipino slugger travels to Chicago as guest of Mr. Diaz next week.
Newly-crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao will attempt to add another title under his belt – his fifth – when he faces former Olympian David Diaz in a title bout to be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. EDT/9 p.m. PDT (June 28) Saturday/10 a.m. Sunday Manila time.
“This will be my hardest- fought battle,” said Pacquiao. “It’s been over three years since I have changed weight divisions and I will be doing it against the lightweight division’s world champion. I saw how he (Diaz) took the fight to Erik Morales in his last title defense and I’m expecting to see the same firepower out of him when we meet. But this is my drive for five. Five world titles in five different weight classes and I will not be denied. I am fighting for history, for destiny and for my people of the Philippines.”
“Manny Pacquiao has beaten many great fighters, especially Mexicans, like Morales, Barrera, Marquez, Larios and Solis. That’s why they call him “The Mexicutioner,” said Chicago native, Diaz, son of Mexican immigrants. “I will shock the world and beat Pacquiao at his own game, power for power. He’s a great champion but he’s fighting my division – lightweight. I have worked so hard for this world title that I will not give it up to him.”
“Two world champions, at the top of their game, matching each other in speed, power, stamina and courage is a recipe for a great fight,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.
“Manny has never felt the power thrown at this weight class just as Diaz has never gone toe-to-toe with such a human dynamo. But Manny possesses an inner strength from his fellow countrymen the likes I have never seen as a promoter with over 40 years of experience. Manny is more than a national treasure to the Philippines, he is the very symbol of its national pride. He doesn’t fight for himself, he fights for his people. It’s a responsibility that no other athlete could, or attempt to, accomplish.”
“Boxing fans recognize that in Pacquiao vs. Diaz, you have one of the sports’ best fighters and biggest attractions moving up in weight to challenge a bigger, strong champion,” said HBOPPV’s Mark Taffet. “It’s very intriguing proposition and we look forward to that event.”
Bernie Bahrmasel, Double B. Publicity, said the remaining tickets for Pacquiao- Diaz, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200, and $100, can be purchased at Mandalay Bay (www.mandalaybay.com) box office and all Las Vegas Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) locations. Ticket sales are limited to eight per person. (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)
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SAN FRANCISCO– The California Supreme Court declared Thursday that same sex couples have the right to marry.
The court voted 4-3 in support of overturning a 1977 law and a referendum in 2000 both defining marriage as limited to unions between a man and a woman. In doing so, California becomes the second state to approve gay marriages, after Massachusetts.
“In view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship,” Chief Justice Ronald M. George wrote of marriage for the majority, “the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual, and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite sex couples.”
The Associated Press reported that California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vowed to support the court’s decision. The California Legislature has twice passed bills allowing same-sex marriages, but they were vetoed by the governor.
Meanwhile several Fil- Am gay couples in New Jersey expressed optimism in light of these developments in California. Dick S. of South Orange, who currently lives with his partner Ron L., believes that the California ruling will create a domino effect, and soon New Jersey will be strong and humane enough to allow gay marriages: “ There is pressure now on the state to allow loving gay couples to be married. They should start considering it now,” said Dick S.
“This is great news. Forty eight states left and the United States will finally live up to its moniker– “home of the free,” said Anthony X, an actor from Jersey City.
Although most Americans favor gay marriages, Filipino- American families are not exactly happy about the idea. Being mostly Catholic, most of them cringe on the thought of a relationship involving the same sexes, more so a legal civil union. “It is immoral and that’s the truth,” said Man Cabrera, of Jersey City. “No law can justify anything prohibited by God,” he added.
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