December 18, 2012 12:30pm
The late Sen. Daniel Inouye, 88, a staunch ally of Filipino World War II veterans, was planning to visit the Philippines in 2013, the Philippine Embassy to Washington said on Tuesday.
In an article posted on the Philippine embassy's website, Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. said Inouye, who visited the Philippines in 2011, "was planning to visit the Philippines again next year."
Cuisia voiced "profound sorrow" over Inouye's passing at 6:01 a.m. Tuesday, Manila time.
“Senator Inouye was more than just a friend of the Philippines. We grieve over his passing because the Filipino people have embraced him as one of their own,” Cuisia said.
Cuisia also noted Inouye will be remembered for championing the cause of the Philippines in the US Senate where he was the longest serving living member.
In the almost five decades that he served, he said Inouye sponsored and supported numerous bills that "strengthened Philippine-American relations."
At the time he died, Inouye served as Senate President Pro-Tempore and Chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.
He was the most senior member of the Senate, and was third in line of presidential succession after Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner.
Inouye was a World War II veteran and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and was the staunchest supporter of Filipino veterans.
He played a major role in the enactment of the Filipino Veterans Bill under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“Senator Inouye believed that the US has shortchanged the Philippines with its unfulfilled promise to Filipinos who were drafted in 1941 to serve alongside US soldiers in World War II and he wanted to make up for that,” Cuisia said.
Inouye was also the main sponsor of the Save Our Industries Act, a bill that will allow the export to the US of Philippine apparel made of American fabrics.
The act aims to increase jobs and exports income for both countries.
Also, Inouye advocated strengthening Philippine military capabilities and enhancing Philippines-US defense relations through increased military financing for the Philippines.
He likewise supported Mindanao development.
Honorary citizen
Cuisia said Inouye was also an honorary citizen of Bulacan and Pangasinan.
“Senator Inouye’s affinity with the Philippines is also evident in the fact that that majority of his constituents in Hawaii come from Ilocos,” he said.
He added Inouye had three Filipinos in his staff, including Chief of Staff Marie Blanco.
Cuisia recalled Inouye made sure he mentioned his close friendship with former Defense Secretary Alejo Santos and former Ambassador Alejandro Melchor.
Visit to PHL in 2011
Inouye visited the Philippines in 2011, where President Benigno Aquino III conferred on him one of the country’s highest awards, the Order of Sikatuna, for strengthening relations between the Philippines and the United States.
He was previously awarded the Order of Lakandula and was presented with a Presidential Citation.
Cuisia added ranking Philippine officials' visits to the US will be complete without a meeting with Inouye.
Last June, Inouye organized a Senate reception for President Aquino during his official working visit to Washington.
His last meeting with Filipino officials was with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, in September this year. - VVP, GMA News
In an article posted on the Philippine embassy's website, Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. said Inouye, who visited the Philippines in 2011, "was planning to visit the Philippines again next year."
Cuisia voiced "profound sorrow" over Inouye's passing at 6:01 a.m. Tuesday, Manila time.
“Senator Inouye was more than just a friend of the Philippines. We grieve over his passing because the Filipino people have embraced him as one of their own,” Cuisia said.
Cuisia also noted Inouye will be remembered for championing the cause of the Philippines in the US Senate where he was the longest serving living member.
In the almost five decades that he served, he said Inouye sponsored and supported numerous bills that "strengthened Philippine-American relations."
At the time he died, Inouye served as Senate President Pro-Tempore and Chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.
He was the most senior member of the Senate, and was third in line of presidential succession after Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner.
Inouye was a World War II veteran and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and was the staunchest supporter of Filipino veterans.
He played a major role in the enactment of the Filipino Veterans Bill under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“Senator Inouye believed that the US has shortchanged the Philippines with its unfulfilled promise to Filipinos who were drafted in 1941 to serve alongside US soldiers in World War II and he wanted to make up for that,” Cuisia said.
Inouye was also the main sponsor of the Save Our Industries Act, a bill that will allow the export to the US of Philippine apparel made of American fabrics.
The act aims to increase jobs and exports income for both countries.
Also, Inouye advocated strengthening Philippine military capabilities and enhancing Philippines-US defense relations through increased military financing for the Philippines.
He likewise supported Mindanao development.
Honorary citizen
Cuisia said Inouye was also an honorary citizen of Bulacan and Pangasinan.
“Senator Inouye’s affinity with the Philippines is also evident in the fact that that majority of his constituents in Hawaii come from Ilocos,” he said.
He added Inouye had three Filipinos in his staff, including Chief of Staff Marie Blanco.
Cuisia recalled Inouye made sure he mentioned his close friendship with former Defense Secretary Alejo Santos and former Ambassador Alejandro Melchor.
Visit to PHL in 2011
Inouye visited the Philippines in 2011, where President Benigno Aquino III conferred on him one of the country’s highest awards, the Order of Sikatuna, for strengthening relations between the Philippines and the United States.
He was previously awarded the Order of Lakandula and was presented with a Presidential Citation.
Cuisia added ranking Philippine officials' visits to the US will be complete without a meeting with Inouye.
Last June, Inouye organized a Senate reception for President Aquino during his official working visit to Washington.
His last meeting with Filipino officials was with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, in September this year. - VVP, GMA News
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