ONE NATION UNDER GOD: (PH)National Heroes Day

<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The amount was approved for release by the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, but was held back due to the election-related ban on fund disbursements.</span><br />
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MANILA, Philippines – On National Heroes' Day, President Rodrigo Duterte announced the release of P4.7 billion for the widows of Philippine soldiers and World War II veterans and retired soldiers.</div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">"For those who were not paid by the previous administration, for release is P4.7 billion for the payment of the total administrative liability, arrears of widows and deceased World War II veterans and AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] retirees who are 80 years old and above," said Duterte.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">He was speaking on Monday, August 29, during the ceremony for National Heroes' Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">His audience of AFP retirees, World War II veterans, and widows of soldiers matched his announcement with enthusiastic applause.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Of the P4.7 billion, P3.5 billion will go to the widows while P1.2 billion will go to AFP retirees.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The joint Implementing Rules and Regulations facilitating the release has been signed by Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, added Duterte.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">"It will be released as soon as possible," said the President, to more cheers.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Duterte even gave a word of warning to soldiers.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">"Be careful, if you are not loyal to your wives, she might be joining the P3.5 billion for the widows," he joked.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Lorenzana, in a chance interview with reporters, said the money is to be released "immediately."</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The release will be processed by PVAO [</span><span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Philippine Veterans Affairs Office] </span><span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">and GHQ [General Headquarters]," said the Defense Secretary.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">In fact, the funds had been approved for release already during the latter part of the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">"Actually, na-release na 'yan, okay na 'yan nung time ni Aquino pero hindi na nila na-release dahil sa ban noong elections,"</em> Lorenzana explained.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">(Actually, it was approved for release already during Aquino's time but it wasn’t released because of the election-related ban on fund releases.)</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Apart from these funds, Duterte said he would give P250,000 for every soldier who dies in action during his administration.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">"Automatic, from my social fund, it's automatic P250,000…That's purely from me, from Office of the President," said Duterte.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Colonel Romeo Gaisano, a retired soldier, is gladdened by Duterte's announcement.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">"<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mas mabuti kung ibigay kasi matagal na naming hinihintay na i-release na</em>," he told Rappler after Duterte's speech.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">(It's good that it will be given because we've been waiting a long time for its release.)</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Agapito Perez, a 90-year-old World War II veteran, said before the start of ceremonies that funds given to them by the government have been insufficient to meet their needs, which include medication and hospitalization for their old-age ailments.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">"Walang nang nangyayari </em>(Nothing happened), as a veteran. We are forgotten by the administration <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">pero ngayon iba kay</em> (but it's different now with) President Duterte," he said.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Amidst graves of fallen soldiers and heroes of the republic, Duterte reflected on his own definition of heroism.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Duterte said he considers one of his heroes the late Justice Jose Abad Santos who was taken by the Japanese during World War II and ordered to pledge allegiance to the Japanese flag. Santos refused, prompting his son to beg him to give the pledge so his life might be spared.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">"His answer to his son was, ‘Son, do not do that to me because not everyone is given a chance to die for his country. I may be insignificant in this country, I'm not a splendid politician, but how I wish I could hear from my son the same pleading and how could I have responded the way the Chief Justice said before he died," said Duterte.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">He however, made no mention of his intention to bury the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Source: <a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/144497-duterte-funds-widows-afp-retirees?utm_content=buffer1bfa1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer" target="_blank">RAPPLER</a></span></div>

(PH)National Heroes Day READ: Duterte: P4.7B to be released for soldiers' widows, AFP retirees.

The amount was approved for release by the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, but was held back due to the election-related ban...