U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye is trying to use the economic stimulus package to follow through with a commitment made last year to pay $198 million to Filipino veterans who fought for the United States in World War II.

A provision in the $885 billion federal stimulus package would authorize a one-time payment of $15,000 to Filipino veterans of the U.S. Army during World War II if they are now U.S. citizens, and a payment of $9,000 to noncitizens.

Inouye has said he is looking for any vehicle to move the measure forward, while critics have questioned whether the stimulus package is the right place.

In November a continuing resolution allowed for a budget item of $198 million for Filipino war veterans but authorization is needed before the money can be disbursed.

"The reason the senator insisted on putting it in (the stimulus) bill is because our WWII veterans are passing away in great numbers," said Jennifer Goto Sabas, Inouye's chief of staff in Honolulu. "This is a matter of justice and there is no budgetary impact to the stimulus package because the dollars have already been provided."

Filipino-American veterans have said they should get the average $900-a-month pension that other veterans get.

They have also taken issue with the fact that the $15,000 could go only to living veterans, not to spouses or other survivors, and would prevent the estimated 18,000 veterans across the country from filing further claims with the U.S. for their service.

Although the Filipinos came under U.S. Army command in 1941, Congress took away their entitlement to full veteran's benefits in 1946.

Filipino lawmakers who have long advocated for the payments praised Inouye's move yesterday, calling it long overdue.

Honolulu city Councilman Romy M. Cachola's uncle, Jesus Cachola, was a World War II veteran who lived with Romy Cachola and his wife for a time. Jesus Cachola died last year but was one of the motivating forces behind several bills Cachola introduced while in the state House that would have provided some benefits for Filipino war veterans.

"It's a fairness issue. They fought for freedom side by side with Americans," Cachola said. "Before they all die, at least, the payments are the right thing for the U.S. to do. They were promised citizenship and the benefits of all the other members of the armed forces. I hope the money given to them will be approved. Putting the money there is good but it still has a long way to go."

State Sen. Will Espero, D-20th ('Ewa Beach, Waipahu), lauded Inouye's work and said the state Senate is considering legislation that would allow for burial grants for Filipino veterans of World War II.

"Our Filipino veterans deserve any funding they can get. This issue should have been taken care of years ago and it hasn't been," Espero said. "My colleagues and I would certainly support any effort to support their cause."