The US cannot declare war in response to its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines without Congressional approval. Such approval will understandably take time. The Philippines’ hope, therefore, lies with the man in the Oval Office — the President of the United States (POTUS) — who has the power to commit US forces to combat for a maximum of 90 days in accordance with the US War Powers Act.
For as long as POTUS is sympathetic to our cause, then the Philippines can benefit from US protection. For this reason, it is ABSOLUTELY critical that the Philippine not be perceived has having provoked the red dragon.
For the text of the US War Powers Act of 1973, see the following Timawa.net discussion: http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=26845.0