<p>
There were 18 Philippine senators who  voted  in favor of the treaty and none opposed. Three senators were recorded as absent for the vote, presumably as a  
protest. Three other senators had been barred from the body on 
the grounds of vote fraud in the April 1946 election, a concocted charge engineered by the Roxas administration.
</p>
<div class="image-450">
<a href="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources/bases-agreement-signing.webp" rel="lightbox">
<img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources/bases-agreement-signing-og.webp"  alt="Manuel A. Roxas and Paul V. McNutt" />
</a>

<div>
(President Manuel Roxas and U.S. Ambassador Paul V. McNutt (right) sign the Military Bases Agreement in Malacañang  Palace, surrounded by onlookers, including Vice President Elpidio Quirino (far left))
</div>
</div>

<p>
In the United States, the administration decided to consider the bases pact an executive agreement, thus requiring no Senate approval. 
</p>
<p>
The agreement provides principally for the granting by the Philippines to the United States the right to retain the use of the bases in the Philippines listed in <i>Annex A</i> (see below), the Philippines also agreeing <i>"to permit the United States, upon notice to the Philippines, to use such of those bases listed in <i>Appendix B</i> (see below) as the United States determines to be required by military necessity"</i>. 
</p>
<p>
The Philippines further agreed <i>"to enter into negotiations with the United States at the latter's request, to permit the United States to expand such bases, to exchange such bases for other bases, to acquire additional bases, or relinquish rights to bases, as any of such exigencies may be required by military necessity"</i>.
</p>
<p>
As to mutual cooperation, the Agreement states: 
</p>
<p>
<ol>
<li>
It is mutually agreed that the armed forces of the Philippines may serve on United States bases and that the armed forces of the United States may serve on Philippine military establishments whenever such conditions appear beneficial as mutually determined by the armed forces of both countries. 
</li>
<li>
Joint outlined plans for the development of military bases in the Philippines may be prepared by military authorities of the two Governments.
</li>
</ol>
</p>
<p>
The Agreement was set for a period of 99  years subject to extension  thereafter as agreed by the two Governments. 
</p>
<p>
This agreement would undergo amendments over the years.  Notably in the 1966 amendment, the agreement was cut down to 25 years of the unexpired portion of the 99 years, expiring in 1991.  
</p>
<p>
The 1979 amendments would reaffirm  Philippine sovereignty over the bases and provided for a thorough review of the agreement every five years.  The first review, in 1983, resulted in several further concessions to Philippine demands for increased sovereignty. The United States also pledged its best efforts to provide the Philippines with US$900 million in economic and military aid over the next five years (1984-88), up from US$500 million over the previous five years. 
</p>
<p>
On September 16, 1991, in a vote of 12-11, the Philippine Senate rejected a negotiated treaty that would allow an extension of the stay of the U.S. bases in the country.  The 11 senators who voted in favor of the new treaty were 5 short of the two-thirds majority needed for ratification.
</p>
<p>
Below is the full text of this agreement excluding the exchanges of notes.  The original publication including the exchanges of notes and text of amendments can be found <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/Downloads.xhtml" class="news_link" title="Complete text" data-ajax="false">in our downloads page here</a> (look for "Treaties and international agreements of the United States of America, 1776 - 1949. Page 78 of pdf document, page 55 of the book itself.)
</p>
<p>
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<br/>

<div data-role="collapsibleset" data-corners="false" data-expanded-icon="mycarat-u" data-collapsed-icon="mycarat-d" data-iconpos="right" data-inset="false" 

class="ui-alt-icon ui-nodisc-icon" data-inset="false" data-theme="a">
<div data-role="collapsible" data-collapsed="false">
<h3>
<span class="wrap-text">
Agreement between the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines concerning military bases
</span>
</h3>
<div class="book-extract">
<div class="source-notes">
<p>
Agreement with annexes and exchanges of notes signed at Manila March 14, 1947.  Entered into force March 26, 1947.  Ratified by the President of the 

Philippines January 21, 1948.  
</p>
<p>
Implemented by agreements of July 1 and September 12, 1947; October 12, 1947 (as supplemented by agreements of January 2 and 3, 1948, and February 19 and 29, 

1948); October 3 and 14, 1947; December 18 and 19, 1947; December 23 and 24, 1947; March 31 and April 1, 1948;  May 14 and 16, 1949;  December 29, 1952 (as 

amended by agreement of January 15 and February 9, 1953); May 29 and June 17, 1953 and April 7 and 22 and July 7 and 22, 1953.
</p>
<p>
Amended by agreements of May 14 and 16, 1949; August 10, 1965; and September 16, 1966.
</p>
</div>
</div>

<p>
WHEREAS, the war in the Pacific has confirmed the mutuality of interest of the United States of America and of the Republic of the Philippines in matters 

relating to the defense of their respective territories and that mutuality of interest demands that the Governments of the two countries take the nea~saly 

measures to promote their mutual security and to defend their territories and areas;
</p>
<p>
WHEREAS, the Governments of the United States of America and of the Republic of the Philippines are desirous of cooperating in the common defense of their two 

comm trithrough arrangements consonant with the procedures and objectives of the United Nations, and particularly through a grant to the United States of 

America by the Republic of the Philippines in the exercise of its title and sovereignty, of the use, free of rent, in furtherance of the mutual interest of 

both countries, of certain lands of the public domain;
</p>
<p>
WHEREAS, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines has requested United States assistance in providing for the defense of the Philippines and in 

developing for such defense effective Philippine armed forces;
</p>
<p>
WHEREAS, pursuant to this request the Government of the United States of America has, in view of its interest in the welfare of the Philippines, indicated its 

intention of dispatching a military mission to the Philippines and of extending to her appropriate assistance in the development of the Philippine defense 

forces;
</p>
<p>
WHEREAS, a Joint Resolution of the Congress of the United States of America of June 29, 1944, authorized the President of the United States of America to 

acquire bases for the mutual protection of the United States of America and of the Philippines; and
</p>
<p>
WHEREAS, Joint Resolution No. 4 of the Congress of the Philippines, approved July 28, 1945, authorized the President of the United States of America to 

negotiate with the President of the Philippines for the establishment of bases provided for in the Joint Resolution of the Congress of the United States of 

America of June 29, 1944, with a view to insuring the territorial integrity of the Philippines, the mutual protection of the United States of America and the 

Philippines, and the maintenance of peace in the Pacific;
</p>
<p>
THEREFORE, the Governments of the Republic of the Philippines and of the United States of America agree upon the following terms for the delimitation, 

establishment, maintenance and operation of military bases in the Philippines:
</p>
</div>


<div data-role="collapsible">
<h3>
Article I - Grants of Bases
</h3>
<p>
1. The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (hereinafter referred to as the Philippines) grants to the Government of the United States of America 

(hereinafter referred to as the United States) the right to retain the use of the bases in the Philippines listed in Annex A attached hereto.
</p>
<p>
2. The Philippines agrees to permit the United States, upon notice to the Philippines, to use such of those bases listed in Annex B as the United States 

determines to be required by military necessity.
</p>
<p>
3. The Philippines agrees to enter into negotiations with the United States at the latter\'s request, to permit the United States to expand such bases, to 

exchange such bases for other bases, to acquire additional bases, or relinquish rights to bases, as any of such exigencies may be required by tary necessity.
</p>
<p>
4. A narrative description of the boundaries of the bases to which this Agreement relates is given in Annex A and Annex B. An exact description of the bases 

listed in Annex A, with metes and bounds, in conformity with the narrative descriptions, will be agreed upon between the appropriate authorities of the two 

Governments as soon as possible. With respect to any of the bases listed in Annex B, an exact description with metes and bounds, in conformity with the 

narrative description of such bases, will be agreed upon if and when such bases are acquired by the United States.
</p>
</div>
<div data-role="collapsible">
<h3> 
Article II - 
Mutual Cooperation
</h3>
<p>
1. It is mutually agreed that the armed forces of the Philippines may serve on United States bases and that the armed forces of the United States may serve on 

Philippine military establishments whenever such conditions appear beneficial as mutually determined by the armed forces of both countries.
</p>
<p>
2. Joint outlined plans for the development of military bases in the Philippines may be prepared by military authorities of the two Governments.
</p>
<p>
3. In the interest of international security any bases listed in Annexes A and B may be made available to the Security Council of the United Nations on its 

call by prior mutual agreement between the United States and the Philippines.
</p>
</div>
<div data-role="collapsible">
<h3>
Article III - Description of Rights
</h3>
<p>
1. It is mutually agreed that the United States shall have the rights, power and authority within the bases which are necessary for the establishment, use, 

operation and defense thereof or appropriate for the control thereof and all the rights, power and authority within the limits of territorial waters and air 

space adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, the bases which are necessary to provide access to them, or appropriate for their control.
</p>
<p>
2. Such rights, power and authority shall include, inter alia, the right, power and authority:
</p>
<div style="margin-left:20px">
<p>
a) to construct (including dredging and filling), operate, maintain, utilize, occupy, garrison and control the bases;
</p>
<p>
b) to impove and deepen the harbors, channels, entrances and anchorages, and to construct or maintain necessary roads and bridges affording access to the 

bases;
</p>
<p>
c) to control (including the right to prohibit) in so far as may be required for the efficient operation and safety of the bases, and within the limits of 

military necessity, anchorages, moorings, landings, takeoffs, movements and operation of ships and waterborne craft, aircraft and other vehicles on water, in 

the air or on land comprising or in the vicinity of the bases;
</p>
<p>
d) the right to acquire, as may be agreed between the two Governments, such rights of way, and to construct thereon, as may be required for military purposes, 

wire and radio communications facilities, including sub-marine and subterranean cables, pipe lines and spur tracks from railroads to bases, and the right, as 

may be agreed upon between the two Governments to construct the necessary facilities;
</p>
<p>
e) to construct, install, maintain, and employ on any base any type of facilities, weapons, substance, device, vessel or vehicle on or under the ground, in 

the air or on or under the water that may be requisite or appropriate, including meteorological systems, aerial and water navigation lights, radio and radar 

apparatus and electronic devices, of any desired power, type of emission and frequency.
</p>
</div>

<p>
3. In the exercise of the above-mentioned rights, power and authority, the United States agrees that the powers granted to it will not be used unreasonably 

or, unless required by military necessity determined by the two Governments, so as to interfere with the necessary rights of navigation, aviation, 

communication, or land travel within the territories of the Philippines. In the practical application outside the bases of the rights, power and authority 

granted in this Article there shall be, as the occasion requires, consultation between the two Governments.
</p>
</div>
<div data-role="collapsible">
<h3>
Article IV
 - Shipping and Navigation
</h3>
<p>
1. It is mutually agreed that United States public vessels operated by or for the War or Navy Departments, the Coast Guard or the Coast and Geodetic Survey, 

and the military forces of the United States, military and naval aircraft and Government-owned vehicles, including armor, shall be accorded free access to and 

movement between ports and United States bases throughout the Philippines, including territorial waters, by land, air and sea. This right shall include 

freedom from compulsory pilotage and all toll charges. If, however, a pilot is taken, pilotage shall be paid for at appropriate rates. In connection with 

entrance into Philippine ports by United States public vessels appropriate notification under normal conditions shall be made to the Philippine authorities.
</p>
<p>
2. Lights and other aids to navigation of vessels and aircraft placed or established in the bases and territorial waters adjacent thereto or in the
vicinity of such bases shall conform to the system in use in the Philippines. The position, characteristics and any alterations in the lights or other aids 

shall be communicated in advance to the appropriate authorities of the Philippines.
</p>
<p>
3. Philippine commercial vessels may use the bases on the same terms and conditions as United States commercial vessels.
</p>
<p>
4. It is understood that a base is not a part of the territory of the United States for the purpose of coastwise shipping laws so as to exclude Philippine 

vessels from trade between the United States and the bases.
</p>
</div>
<div data-role="collapsible">
<h3>
<span class="wrap-text">
Article V - 
Exemption from Customs and Other Duties
</span>
</h3>
<p>
No import, excise, consumption or other tax, duty or impost shall be charged on material, equipment, supplies or goods, including food stores and clothing, 

for exclusive use in the construction, maintenance, operation or defense of the bases, consigned to, or destined for, the United States authorities and 

certified by them to be for such purposes.
</p>
</div>
<div data-role="collapsible">
<h3>
<span class="wrap-text">
Article VI
 - Manuever and Other Areas
</span>
</h3
<p>
The United States shall, subject to previous agreement with the Philippines, have the right to use land and coastal sea areas of appropriate size and location 

for periodic maneuvers, for additional staging areas, bombing and gunnery ranges, and for such intermediate airfields as may be required for We and efficient 

air operations. Operations in such areas shall be carried on with due regard and safeguards for the public safety.
</p>
</div>
<div data-role="collapsible">
<h3>
<span class="wrap-text">
Article VII - 
Use of Public Services
</span>
</h3>
<p>
It is mutually agreed that the United States may employ and use for United States military forces any and all public utilities, other services and facilities, 

airfields, ports, harbors, roads, highways, railroads, bridges, via-ducts, canals, lakes, rivers and streams in the Philippines under conditions no less 

favorable than those that may be applicable from time to time to the military forces of the Philippines.
</p>
</div>
<div data-role="collapsible">
<h3>
<span class="wrap-text">
Article VIII - Health Measure Outside Bases
</span>
</h3>
<p>
It is mutually agreed that the United States may construct, subject to agreement by the appropriate Philippine authorities, wells, water catchment areas or 

dams to insure an ample supply of water for all base operations and personnel. The United States shall likewise have the right, in cooperation with the 

appropriate authorities of the Philippines, to take such steps as may be mutually agreed upon to be necessary to improve health and sanitation in areas 

contiguous to the bases, including the right, under such conditions as may be mutually agreed upon, to enter and inspect any privately owned property. The 

United States shall pay just compensation for any injury to persons or damage to property that may result from action taken in connection with this Article.
</p>
</div>
<div data-role="collapsible">
<h3>
Article IX - 
Surverys
</h3>
<p>
It is mutually agreed that the United States shall have the right, after appropriate notification has been given to the Philippines, to make topographic, 

hydrographic, and coast and geodetic surveys and aerial photographs in any part of the Philippines and waters adjacent thereto. Copies with title and 

triangulation data of any surveys or photomaps made of the Philippines shall be furnished to the Philippines.
</p>
</div>
<div data-role="collapsible">
<h3>
<span class="wrap-text">
Article X
 - Cemeteries and Historical Sites
</span>
</h3>
<p>
1. The United States shall have the right to retain and maintain such United States military cemeteries and such sites of historical significance to the 

United States as may be agreed upon by the two Governments. All rights, power and authority in relation to bases granted under this Agreement shall be 

applicable, in so far as appropriate, to the cemeteries and sites mentioned in this Article.
</p>
<p>
2. Furthermore, it is recognized that there are certain cemeteries and historical sites in the Philippines revered in the memory of the People of the United 

States and of the Philippines, and it is therefore fitting that the maintenance and improvement of such memorials be the common concern of the two countries.
</p>
</div>
<div data-role="collapsible">
<h3>
Article XI - Immigration
</h3>
<p>
1. It is mutually agreed that the United States shall have the right to bring into the Philippines members of the United States military forces and the United 

States nationals employed by or under a contract with the United States together with their families, and technical personnel of other nationalities (not 

being persons excluded by the laws of the Philippines) in connection with the construction, maintenance, or operation of the bases. The United States shall 

make suitable arrangements so that such persons may be readily identified and their status established when necessary by the Philippine authorities. Such 

persons, other than members of the United States armed forces in uniform, shall present their travel documents to the appropriate Philippine authorities for 

visas, it being understood that no objection wi l be made to their travel to the Philippines as non-immigrants.
</p>
<p>
2. If the status of any person within the Philippines and admitted thereto under the foregoing paragraph shall be altered so that he would no longer be 

entitled to such admission, the United States shall notify the Philippines and shall, if such person be required to leave the Philippines by the latter 

Government, be responsible for providing him with a passage from the Philippines within a reasonable time, and shall in the meantime prevent his becoming a 

public responsibility of the Philippines.
</p>
</div>
<div data-role="collapsible">
<h3>
<span class="wrap-text">
Article XII - Internal Revenue Tax Exemption
</span>
</h3>
<p>
1. No member of the United States armed forces, except Filipino citizens, serving in the Philippines in connection with the bases and residing in the 

Philippines by reason only of such service, or his dependents, shall be liable to pay income tax in the Philippines except in respect of income derived from 

Philippine sources.
</p>
<p>
2. No national of the United States serving in or employed in the Philippines in connection with the construction, maintenance, operation, or defense of the 

bases and residing in the Philippines by reason only of such employment, or his spouse and or children and dependent parents of either spouse, shall be liable 

to pay income tax in the Philippines except in respect of income derived from Philippine sources or sources other than the United States sources.
</p>
<p>
3. No person referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall be liable to pay to the Government or local authorities of the Philippines any poll or 

residence tax, or any import or export duty, or any other tax on personal property imported for his own use; provided that privately owned vehicles shall be 

subject to payment of the following only: when certified as being used for military purposes by appropriate United States authorities, the normal license 

plate fee; otherwise, the normal license plate and registration fees.
</p>
<p>
4. No national of the United States, or corporation organized under the laws of the United States, resident in the United States, shall be liable to pay 

income tax in the Philippines in respect of any profits derived under a contract made in the United States with the Government of the United States in 

connection with the construction, maintenance, operation and defense of the bases, or any tax in the nature of a license in respect of any such service or 

work for the United States in connection with the construction, maintenance, operation and defense of the bases.
</p>
</div>


March 14, 1947: the Military Bases Agreement was signed