A veteran’s woes

Col. Emmanuel V. de Ocampo is in his late 80s, and so ought to be enjoying life in peace and bliss. But it hasn't been so for the World War II veteran who has been kept himself busy handling the affairs of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines of which he is president. Of late he has spent sleepless nights because of charges of corruption hurled at him by people whom he perceives to have axes to grind. Not only have his detractors filed charges against him before the Office of the Resident Ombudsman of the Department of National Defense. They have also filed a case with the Regional trial Court in Quezon City, brought the matter to the attendion of the Department of National Defense, filed cases with the Veterans Affairs Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and, in the words of Mr. Ocampo, "have been continuously broadcasting (the charges) in public."

Like they say, old soldiers never die – they stand up in defense of their honor. And so it is with Colonel Ocampo, who says the cases "will not stop me from working for the benefit and welfare of the veterans and defending their rights."

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Let's have a bit of history. On Dec. 9, 1957, 22 veteran-leaders representing all nationally known veterans organizations signed an "Instrument of Unification which became the Veterans Federation of the Philippines‚ Declaration of Principles. The VIF was established by Republic Act 2640 which was signed by the late President Carlos Garcia."

The organization of veterans had been slow, though; in 1985, when Colonel de Ocampo was elected president, there was practically no palpable organization. Two years later, the Federation regained its old foothold. Today, there are some 200 district orga-nizations and 1,250 post headquarters serve the members nationwide. The members, all voluntary, by the way, number 80,000 living veterans, and 100,000 widows.

The Federation keeps in touch with the general membership by way of circulars and memoranda, and its newsletter, The Golden Kris. It is proud of rendering notable medical and welfare services, founding annexes in Davao, Cebu and Naga, and creating the Veterans Rehabilitation and Convalescence Center for disabled and convalescent veterans. This has been converted into one of the best out-patient care centers of the country. It put up a war museum in Taguig.

The VFP has contributed to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center two optical equipment for laser surgery worth P3-milion pesos, and sent out medical missions to areas outside the National Capital Region to attend to veterans.

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De Ocampo says the Federation gives importance to lobby work as a means to effect legislative measures for the veterans sector. Through lobbying in the US Congress, US claims were granted, such as on the giving of citizenship to Filipino veterans living in the US, two disability pensions, and burial benefits.

Also, Social Security Insurance (SSI) was granted to Filipino veterans who live in the US. De Ocampo says the Federation is working for the allowing of wives of veterans who are living in the US under welfare benefits, will be allowed to come home and still receive those benefits.

The Federation worked for the reopening of the Veterans Bank, which is the repository of war veterans‚ contributions, when it was closed down by the late President Marcos with a debt of P1.4 billion. Under De Ocampo's and his board of trustees‚ leadership, the bank has now capital resources in the amount of P4.3 billion. The board is grateful to former Rep. Eduardo Pilapil for his help in the reopening of the bank.

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Those are only some of the significant gains made by the Federation. But a group calling itself Crusade to Reform Veterans Organization, Inc. (CREVO) and led by its president, retired Army Col. Charlie H. Beloso, has filed plunder and other criminal charges against de Ocampo aschairman of the Philippine Veterans bank and Federation president and 12 members of the Philippine Veterans Bank board.

Due to space constraints, I can cite only a number of the charges and de Ocampo's answers to them. One charge is on the Federation funds amounting to P540 million, representing the Board's share from the 20 per cent income from managing the

Veterans Industrial Area, when by law, 20 percent of only the net profit of the Philippine Veterans Bank goes to the Board.

De Ocampo replies that all funds of the federation are audited and accounted for. "The so-called P540 million fund is non-existent. There is no such thing. The 20 per cent of the net profit allotted to the Board supports the renovated Taguig out-patient clinic, museum with diorama, library, auditorium and other facilities of the Veterans Industrial Area.

Another charge is that after 42 years, despite multiple sources of income, the VFP can only show a net worth of P22-million as of Sept. 30,2001.

De Ocampo's answer: "VFP never had an income. When (I) took over in 1986, it was bankrupt and in debt by almost P2-million. The income referred to came from the Management and Development Corp. Income only started coming for the VFP in 1992. Previous to that the VIA was being managed and operated by the PHIVIDEC."

On anomalous and questionable P600-million PVB loans, these, says de Ocampo, are non-existent.

Another charge: usurpation of authority of the government to exercise the power of the voting rights. Reply: "Not true. VFP is not a government agency while PVB is a private commercial bank solely owned by WW II veterans, with a Board of Trustees similarly composed of WWII veterans."

As to why the VFP's 60-hectare VIA and 50-hectare Fort Bonifacio properties worth at least P1-billion and P1.5 billion are not listed as assets of the VFP, the reply: Those are government-owned properties. The VFP only manages and administers them. VFP was allowed to use the VIA for the benefit of the veterans‚ organization to fund the operation of the outpatient clinic that renders free consultation, medicines and medical treatment to veterans and their immediate family members.

De Ocampo is charged of availing of separation benefits when he is only an ex-officio head. Reply: "False. The truth is (I) (do) not even receive a salary from the federation."

Let's watch out for the investigations being conducted by the legislators.

Truth will always out, and it will, in this case that's causing de Ocampo sleepless nights.