MT. SAMAT, Bataan -- (UPDATE 2) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed into law a bill that would allow World War II veterans to receive additional pension benefits.Unite States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney assured support for the measure. At the same time, Arroyo announced the formation of a joint executive-legislative team that would go to the US this month to lobby for the passage of the Filipino veterans bill before the US Congress. He said the team would be led by Senator Richard Gordon and Congressman Jose Solis. In ceremonies commemorating "Araw ng Kagitingan" here, Arroyo signed the Filipino World War II Pension and Benefits Act of 2008 or “An Act allowing Filipino World War II Veterans to continue receiving Philippine Government Pensions and Benefits notwithstanding similar pensions and benefits provided by the United States Government.” "Hindi sapat na magpasalamat sa inyo, dapat siguruhin na matutugunan ang inyong pangangailangan [Thank you is not enough. It is more important to ensure that your needs are met]," Arroyo said in her speech. Defense undersecretary Ernesto Carolina said the measure was a "preparatory bill" ahead of the passage of a measure in the US Congress seeking similar benefits for Filipino veterans. He said that with the new law, Filipino war veterans or their dependents could receive additional pension and benefits from the US over the P5,000 monthly pension they have been receiving. The new law amended Republic Act 6498 (An Act Standardizing and Upgrading the Benefits for Military Veterans and their Dependents) signed in April 1990, which prohibited veterans from receiving additional pension benefits. There are about 60,000 surviving war veterans, half of which fought in World War II, according to Carolina. Kenney said the veterans’ bill remained "high priority legislation" in the United States. President George W. Bush has "great respect" for the Filipino war veterans, she added. Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya said at least P17 billion from the 2008 budget has been allotted for the pension of war veterans. Quoting the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, Andaya said there were a total of 272,284 veterans that would be receiving pensions for this year. | 
