MANILA: The Philippine Supreme Court on Tuesday declared as constitutional a defense pact that allows American forces, warships and planes to temporarily base in local military camps, in a boost to US efforts to reassert its presence in Asia as China rises to regional dominance.

Ten of the 15 members of the high court also ruled that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which was signed by US and Philippine officials in 2014 and has a 10-year lifespan, is an executive agreement that does not need Senate approval, court spokesman Theodore Te said.

“EDCA is not constitutionally infirm as an executive agreement,” Te said at a news conference after the justices’ long-awaited vote.

The ruling will bolster US efforts to reassert its presence in Asia and dovetails with Philippine efforts to harness America’s help in addressing China’s aggressive acts in the disputed South China Sea.

Washington immediately welcomed the court’s decision, saying the defense pact is a mutually beneficial accord that will bolster both countries’ ability to respond to disasters and strengthen the Philippines’ military.

Left-wing activists said they would consider filing an appeal, adding that US military presence won’t solve the country’s worries over China in the disputed waters.

“This is another sad day for Philippine sovereignty,” said left-wing activist Renato Reyes, who was one of those who challenged the legality of the defense accord before the high court. “We maintain that the EDCA is not the solution to the problems of China’s incursions.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs said that with the court’s decision, the Philippines and the US can finalize the full implementation of an agreement that is a critical component of efforts to strengthen national security and disaster relief capabilities.

“This decision bodes well for deepening our defense cooperation with a key ally,” and will “redound to improving our capability to perform our mandate to protect our people and secure the state,” said armed forces chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri.

The Philippines has turned to Washington as it scrambles to strengthen its military, one of the most ill-equipped in Asia, to deal with an increasingly assertive China in the South China Sea.

Presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma said the court’s ruling boosts the ongoing military modernization program, and will introduce the armed forces to the “most modern equipment,” which will allow “a generational leap in our abilities.”