MANILA: The Philippine Supreme Court today declared a security deal with the United States constitutional, allowing an increased US military presence in its former colony as tensions rise in the South China Sea.
Manila has long been a staunch US ally and the pact is widely seen as important for both as the Philippines confronts an assertive China in the disputed Spratly archipelago and Washington launches a "pivot" back to Asia.
Voting 10-4, the 15-member court denied the petition of some lawmakers and activists to declare the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) unconstitutional because it surrendered Philippine sovereignty to a foreign power.
Manila has long been a staunch US ally and the pact is widely seen as important for both as the Philippines confronts an assertive China in the disputed Spratly archipelago and Washington launches a "pivot" back to Asia.
Voting 10-4, the 15-member court denied the petition of some lawmakers and activists to declare the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) unconstitutional because it surrendered Philippine sovereignty to a foreign power.
© Thomson Reuters 2016
COMMENTS
Advertisement
China Has Anchored "Monster Ship" In South China Sea, Warns Philippines 'Oppose Changing Status Quo By Force': India On South China Sea Tensions New China Rules Allow Detention Of Foreigners In South China Sea, G7 Reacts Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Opposes Karnataka's Job Quota Bill, Minister Responds "Meat, Potatoes" Guy Who Cooks Indian Food: JD Vance's Wife Describes Him Bihar Leader's Father Murdered Over Rs 1 Lakh He Lent, Key Accused Arrested On Camera, Jagan Reddy's Party Member Hacked To Death On Busy Andhra Road Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.