The EDCA allows the U.S. to rotate troops and build facilities on Philippine bases, strengthening the bilateral defense alliance without establishing permanent bases.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- April 28, 2014
- Signatories
- Philippine Defense Sec. Gazmin & US Amb. Goldberg
- Supreme Court vote (Jan 2016)
- 10–4 upholding constitutionality
- Final constitutional ruling
- July 26, 2016
- Supplemental to
- Visiting Forces Agreement
- Permanent bases allowed
- No
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The existing Visiting Forces Agreement between the U.S. and Philippines was deemed insufficient to address evolving regional security concerns, prompting both governments to negotiate a more robust defense cooperation framework that would allow greater American military presence without violating Philippine constitutional prohibitions on permanent foreign bases.
Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement in Manila on April 28, 2014, on the occasion of President Barack Obama's visit with President Noynoy Aquino. The agreement permits U.S. troop rotations for extended stays and authorizes construction and operation of facilities on Philippine bases.
The EDCA was upheld as constitutional by the Philippine Supreme Court in January and July 2016. It deepened U.S.-Philippine defense ties, drew criticism from leftist Filipino groups, and was described by U.S. officials as the most significant defense agreement between the two countries in decades.
Political Outcome
Agreement signed and later upheld as constitutional by the Philippine Supreme Court in a 10–4 vote, allowing U.S. troop rotations and facility construction on Philippine bases.
U.S.-Philippine defense cooperation limited to the existing Visiting Forces Agreement framework
Enhanced framework permitting U.S. troop rotations and base facility construction in the Philippines