[Captain Peter Blood]

He was not near the Philippines, he was in the South China Sea, The Asiatic Fleet was based there. Read up on Hart. He did engage the enemy, he was just a smart old Asia hand who understood the Japanese.

[BroJoeK]

I'm no expert on Hart, only know what I read:

"Hart was appointed commander in chief, U.S. Asiatic Fleet on July 25, 1939 and was promoted to admiral the same day.
He held that position at the commencement of hostilities in World War II between Japan and the United States in December 1941.[11]
The majority of forces under Hart's command were located in the Philippines, with a small force of destroyers and a light cruiser based in Borneo.[12][13]
His command included the majority of the combat-ready US submarines in the Pacific.[14]
Hart initially commanded U.S. naval forces from Manila, but was forced to relocate to Java on January 15, 1942, in light of rapid Japanese advances through the Philippine archipelago.[15]
On his relocation to Java, Hart was named Commander, Naval Forces, ABDA Command, a joint British, Dutch, American and Australian military command, formed for purposes of holding the southern portions of the Dutch East Indies against further Japanese advances.[16]
While in command of ABDA naval forces, ships under his command fought the Battle of Balikpapan, a tactical victory, but strategic defeat for the allied forces."

Seems that Hart was based in the Philippines and may have played a role in their defense.