Philippine political and church leaders pressured the Senate Monday to ratify a new military bases treaty with the United States, but President Cora-zon Aquino conceded that the accord could be rejected.
In a rare show of unity, government and opposition leaders appealed to the Senate at the opening of ratification hearings by its foreign relations committee to approve the accord.Manila TV networks broadcast the proceedings live, an indication of the extent to which the bases issue has gripped this country of 63 million people.
Foreign Secretary Raul Manglapus, who negotiated the treaty with Washington, and Aquino's Executive Secretary Franklin Drilon said the accord would boost efforts to achieve political and economic stability.