We are almost sure a new agreement between the Philippines and the United States that will allow the increase in the “rotational presence” of American troops will be signed. We are also sure the Philippine Senate will make a manifestation (short of a resolution) stating there is no need for it to ratify the new agreement because it only has details that are properly subsumed under the Visiting Forces Agreement.

The agreement on increased rotational presence (IRP) will push through because that is what President Aquino wants and, like Lola, whatever Noynoy wants Noynoy gets. This happens not because he is a physically irresistible as Lola in the movie but because Senate President Franklin Drilon and the majority of senators cannot refuse the President’s chief enforcer, DBM Secretary Florencio Abad.

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