Philippine court puts off ruling on US military pact
Date
12/16/2015 10:22:19 PM
(MENAFN- The Peninsula) US military forces take part in the annual ''Balikatan'' (shoulder-to-shoulder) war games with Filipino soldiers on the shore of San Antonio Zambales in northern Philippines April 21 2015.
MANILA: The Philippine Supreme Court onWednesday put off for a second time a decision on the legalityof a new security agreement with the United States raisingfresh doubt about a deal that would give US forces access toPhilippine military bases.
The Philippines has long been a staunch US ally and the pact is widely seen as important for both as the Philippinesconfronts an assertive China in the disputed South China Sea and
the United States implements a "pivot" back to Asia.
But left-wing Philippine politicians and others havechallenged the constitutionality of the pact known as theEnhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which as aresult has become held up in the Supreme Court.
The deal would enable US troops to build facilities tostore equipment for maritime security in addition to havingbroad access to Philippine bases.
Last month after the court failed to rule on it asexpected a court source said the 15-member bench was likely touphold the constitutionality of the agreement at its Dec. 16meeting.
But court spokesman Theodore Te declined to comment on thepact when he briefed reporters on Wednesday.
Another court official who declined to be identified said some judges had asked for more time to consider the opinions ofthose who argue the deal must be ratified by senators because it
is a treaty not an executive agreement.
The court will convene again on Jan. 12.
The pact was signed days before US President Barack Obamavisited the Philippines in April 2014.
Philippine military officials say there has been an increasein US exercises training and ship and aircraft visits in thepast year under Obama's "rebalance" to Asia but the pact would
take the relationship a step further.
On Monday the US Pacific Fleet Commander warned of an arms race in the South China Sea as nations become increasinglytempted to use force to settle disputes.
Patrick Cronin of the Washington-based Center for a NewAmerican Security said the EDCA was essential to the USrebalance to Asia.
A ruling against it would be "a major setback to upgradingthe Philippine armed forces and rejuvenation of the alliancewith the United States" Cronin told Reuters.
Reuters