OUR REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT:

For the past two years, Chinese territorial encroachment in the South China Sea has surged to unprecedented levels. Last week the Philippine Supreme Court handed down a decision that could provide the ideal way for the U.S. to respond.

In April 2014, Washington and Manila signed an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement permitting the U.S. to construct facilities in the Philippines and rotate forces through the islands. On Jan. 12 the Philippine Supreme Court ruled that the "executive agreement" signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin does not require Senate approval. This clears the way for the return of U.S. forces to help counter China's growing military power and territorial aggressiveness.

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