The Philippine Supreme Court is unlikely to rule on a constitutional challenge to a new U.S.-Philippine security agreement before U.S. President Barack Obama visits Manila later this month. A decision is expected next year, a court source said.
The deal will give U.S. troops wide access to Philippine military bases and approval to build facilities to store fuel and equipment for maritime security, but it was effectively frozen after left-wing politicians and other opponents challenged its constitutionality last year.
With tension growing over China's island-building in the disputed South China Sea, Philippine political experts had expected the Supreme Court to issue a ruling before Obama attends the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Manila on Nov. 18-19.