‘Congress probe on spying report welcome’

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang sees no problem if the House of Representatives conducts its own investigation on reports that the United States used Manila as a spying hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

“If the lawmakers think this probe can help them craft laws or appropriate legislation, then this definitely falls within their mandate,” Press Secretary Herminio Coloma told a news briefing yesterday. Coloma issued the statement after Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters the Department of National Defense (DND) is looking into the reports, even if they have not detected signs of such activity.