98-year old Celestino Almeda is just one of 4,500 Filipino veterans who fought in World War II and is fighting for the benefits he says were promised all of them (pictured: WWII Veterans Federation of the Philippines Monument).
The Inquirer reports a House subcommittee hearing took up the matter Thursday. Committee members grilled Veterans Administration officials about the eligibility verification process. The 4,500 Filipino veterans say their benefits have been unfairly denied.
“We want the system of certifying who is eligible to receive these benefits to be fair and transparent,” said Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nevada). “Time is of the essence. We are talking of veterans who are in their 90s. We must do right by them before they pass on.”
The effort to look into the verification process has been bipartisan. You can read more about that in the Inquirer.
