Rody on CA’s rejection of Gina: Lobby money talks

MANILA, Philippines -  President Duterte is not discounting the possibility that interest groups might have used lobby money in the confirmation hearings of the Commission on Appointments (CA) that led to the rejection of Gina Lopez as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“Sayang si Gina (She is a loss). I really like her passion,” Duterte said in a speech at the mid-year convention of orthopedic surgeons in Davao City.

“Lobby money talks,” said Duterte, parrying criticisms that he did not try to help Lopez get the CA nod.

Without elaborating, Duterte went on to explain that he does not meddle in the affairs of co-equal branches of government.

After suspending the operations of many mining groups, Lopez got the ire of businessmen, including the Chamber of Mines, which had pushed for her ouster as DENR secretary.

Lopez was also at odds with Duterte’s major ally and close friend, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.

Duterte said he could not dictate to members of Congress.

“I am the head of the executive department while Congress is controlled by the Senate President and the Speaker,” he added.

Among those who rejected Lopez’s appointment were Sens. Alan Cayetano, Gringo Honasan, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Panfilo Lacson, and Reps. Abraham Bambol Tolentino, Antonio Floirendo Jr., Nehur Salimbangon, Jerry Trenas, Joel Mayor Almarioa, Josephine Ramirez-Sato, Julieta Cortuna, Rodolfo Albano III, Ronaldo Zamora, Roy Loyola and Wes Gatchalian.

Eight senators – Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Francis Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, JV Ejercito, Loren Legarda, Manny Pacquiao, Ralph Recto and Vicente Sotto – were in favor of Lopez’s appointment. 

Rep. Sandy Ocampo was the lone House member who voted for Lopez.

Duterte said yesterday there was nothing he could do for Lopez. 

Rep. Julieta Cortuna of A Teacher party-list, who is a member of the 12-member House contingent in the CA, denied that business interest prevailed. 

“That’s totally unfair. I am one of those who support her passion (for the environment) but personally, that was not enough,” Cortuna said. 

She had to consider the “traits of a leader” since “passion is just a fraction and mining is only one of the basic services of DENR.”

Cortuna said Lopez failed to present “concrete” programs other than her anti-mining crusade.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers lauded the CA’s decision.

“Her advisers did her in. The policies she implemented seemed not well-thought of,” he added. 

Lacson defended his vote to reject the appointment of Lopez based on his belief that she was not fit for the job.

“Passion and enthusiasm do not automatically translate into the two criteria. Ms. Regina Paz Lopez obviously has a lot of passion and enthusiasm, but evidently, in my own observation and analysis of her performance during the entire confirmation proceedings, she is not fit for the job nor is she qualified,” Lacson said.

“Worse, she admittedly arrogated unto herself the authority which is not prescribed under the existing laws of the land. That makes her potentially dangerous as a department head. Further, she has authoritarian tendencies,” he added.

Aquino, who along with his fellow Liberal Party senators voted to confirm Lopez, noted how members of the opposition ended up supporting the appointee of the President instead of his allies.

“What happened was unusual because it was the opposition who supported secretary Lopez,” said Aquino.

“I don’t want to talk about those who did not vote for her because they have their own issues. But in our case, even if we’re in the opposition, if we believe the person would be of help and would benefit the country, then why wouldn’t we support her,” he added.

In a statement, Sen. Leila de Lima said that she was dismayed with the decision of the CA to reject Lopez’s confirmation.

De Lima, arch critic of the President, said that she has to give him credit in his choice of Lopez to head the DENR.

“Let it not be said that I never gave Duterte credit for anything. He chose the right woman for the job. Too bad he failed to keep her there – I do wonder why, with all his power and influence,” De Lima said. 

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II lamented the CA rejection of Lopez.

“I am sad because it is very rare to have someone with such advocacy and focus in her job. Sayang talaga (what a waste),” he said.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) said it was saddened by the decision of the CA.

However, CCC secretary Vernice Victorio said they respect the processes of the CA. 

Let Digong run DENR

Duterte is being asked to take over the DENR after Lopez was rejected by the CA on Wednesday.

Ateneo de Davao University president Joel Tabora, a close friend of Duterte, urged the Chief Executive to head the environment department in a concurrent capacity and appoint Lopez to another position to help him manage the agency.

“I ask President Digong to concurrently lead the DENR and continue to conserve our national resources for the people. I ask him to return to his resolve to run the DENR himself, considering the power of the mining block,” said Tabora in a series of tweets.

Lopez herself named Duterte when asked who should replace her as environment chief.

Still on Twitter, Tabora said the rejection of Lopez is a great disservice to the nation.

“This is a national disaster. The CA has betrayed the environment and the nation. It is amazing that the CA rejected one of the greatest environmentalists of our day to lead the DENR,” he said.

He also expressed disappointment over the reported vote of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, a close ally and running mate of Duterte in the 2016 elections, rejecting Lopez.

“Deeply disappointed, Sen. Cayetano, with you for not supporting Gina Lopez in the CA since she enjoyed the support of PRRD,” said the university president.

“The people voted for a pro-poor pro-people President in Digong, not for a pro-mining pro-oligarch administration,” he added.

Following his election last year, Duterte vowed to initiate a crackdown against mining firms, citing the destruction that some of them are causing to the environment.

DENR undersecretary Maria Paz Luna urged Malacañang to immediately appoint a replacement for Lopez to ensure the stability of the department.

“The sooner, the better. We have roles to fulfill. Many decisions really rest on the secretary,” Luna said.

“We’re still waiting for the action of the President on the matter. Right now, status quo but whoever will be the replacement should have the political will and credibility,” environment assistant secretary Galo Martinez said.

NPA warns miners

Communist guerrillas warned mining firms that the New People’s Army (NPA) will continue attacks on erring companies and other “enemies of the environment.”

“The NPA will continue to implement policies of the people’s democratic government,” the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said on the heels of the CA rejection of Lopez.

The CPP said NPA guerrillas would enforce orders to punish all plunderers and prevent the further destruction of the environment by mining companies and big plantations.

Betrayal of God and people

Lipa City Emeritus Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said the CA betrayed God and the people when Lopez was not confirmed.

In an interview over the Church-run Radio Veritas, Arguelles said that the CA’s decision was a reflection of the kind of leaders the country has today, adding that they were only after protecting their self interests.

“It’s high time the nation break free from corrupt leaders and depose these Judases of our country. President Duterte should live up to his commitment to defend our country from those who destroy her, to help poor people rise from misery, the true enemies of his ideals aren’t the poor addicts. The rich exploiters of our resources, the real oppressors of our people are around him.” 

Surigao Bishop Antonieto Cabajog was also disappointed when the CA did not confirm Lopez.

“She is a great loss. The law should serve the common good. It’s the spirit of the law we should pursue not the law itself for its own sake. Surigao has more to offer in terms of eco-tourism,” Cabajog said.

Environmentalists in Negros Island expressed their dismay over the CA’s rejection of the appointment of Lopez.

Randy James Rojo, coordinator of Green Alert Negros, said Lopez is their hope for the environment to recover and promote sustainable development.

Kay Versoza O’Brien, an anti-mining advocate of Hinobaan town, said they are frustrated by the lawmakers who rejected Lopez.

She said Lopez is the only person who cares for our environment, our people, and the only person who will fight for the next generations.