THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Ensconced in the 1987 Philippine Constitution is the policy 
providing for the promotion of “a just and dynamic social order that will 
ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people 
from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, 
promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved 
quality of life for all.” * The said constitutional tenet is significant and 
serves as basis for the enactment of such laws as the Senior Citizens Law 
to assist and afford rights to the elderly, the Comprehensive Agrarian 
Reform Law to promote the interests and secure opportunities for the 
landless tillers to own lands, and RA 7160 or the Child Protection Law to 
forestall exploitation of children in all forms. 
Consistent with the statutes mentioned, this bill is submitted for 
consideration. 
an Office of 
Veterans Affairs in the Philippine Embassy in the United States and to 
provide funds for its operation and maintenance. 
The legislation at hand seeks to create 
The purpose of this Office is to pursue the claims of Filipino 
veterans of World War I1 for the restoration of their rights, benefits and 
privileges as members of the Armed Forces in the Far East, under the 
provisions of the United States Veterans Benefits Code, which we denied 
them by the Rescission Act of 1946. 
Furthermore, the Office will 
accommodate processing of all dossiers and will handle issues 
confronting Filipino Veterans Benefits veterans. 
In the words of then Senator now Executive Secretary Albert0 
Romulo who originally filed this legislation, “the creation of the Office 
Veterans Affairs in the Philippine Embassy in the United States will 
ensure that the Filipino veterans’ claims will not be relegated again to the 
pigeonholes in Washington, D.C.” 
Immediate cognizance of this 
*Art. 11. Sec. 9 


. 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
AN ACT 
CREATING AN OFFICE 
EMBASSY IN THE UNI 
FUNCTIONS, PRQVIDI 
PQR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Benote and House of 
Philippines in Congress  ass^^^^^^: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the 
policy of the government to pursue the claims of Filipino veterans of 
World War I1 and work for the restoration of their rights, privileges and 
benefits from the United States government. 
SEC. 2. Establishment of an face of Weterans A f ~ a ~ ~ ~  
- There 
is hereby created an Ofice of Veterans Affairs in the Philippine Embassy 
in the United States of America mandated with the task of making formal 
representations, consultations and negotiations with appropriate offices 
of the Legislative and Executive Branches and other entitled agencies 
and entities of the United States government to promote and enhance the 
favorable consideration of the claims of Filipino veterans. 
The Office shall be in existence also to work and assist Filipino 
veterans who are both in the United States of America and in the 
Philippines in transactions regarding financial claims, papers pertaining 
to pensions and other privileges and all other tasks and functions which 
may be necessary to carry out the proposed objective of this Act. 
8EC. 3. Stsamng - The Office of Veterans Affairs shall have a 
staff consisting of a head of office appointed by the President of the 
Philippines, an administrative assistant assigned by the Secretary of 
National Defense, and such other locally hired personnel as the head of 
office may find necessary. The head of the Office of Veterans shall have 
the assimilated rank of Specid Envoy on Veterans Affairs. 
$E@. 4. 
Funding 
- 
The sum of fifty million pesos 
(P-50,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the 
National Treasury not otherwise appropriated to carry out the purpose 
for which the ad hoc offices established. 
8EG. 8. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect upon fifteen (15) 
days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least 
two newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,