Duterte reappoints Lopez as DENR secretary

MANILA, Philippines – President Duterte has reappointed Environment Secretary Gina Lopez and praised her for being strict in implementing mining regulations.

The President, however, failed to explain why Lopez’s name was not included in the list of Cabinet reappointments Malacañang had sent to the Commission on Appointments (CA) for confirmation.

Lopez was one of 15 Cabinet officials who were not confirmed by the CA before Congress went on recess last month.

The absence of Lopez’s name triggered speculations that she is no longer a member of the Cabinet. Duterte, however, confirmed that Lopez is still part of his team.

“By the way, I reappointed her. She was bypassed (by the CA),” Duterte said during the ceremonial switch-on of a power plant of the Palm Concepcion Power Corp. in Malacañang on Monday. 

“I like her. She is okay, very strict. I like that. She is not corrupt, I like that. And cannot be corrupted. Why? Because I want my country at least relatively safe from predators of all sorts,” the President added.

The environment department under Lopez has suspended 10 mining firms and has recommended the suspension of 20 others for failing to pass an environmental audit.

Meanwhile, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III yesterday said Lopez should not assume office yet.

“Obviously, her new appointment was issued while Congress is already in session. That means that it is a regular appointment, which has to be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments before the appointee can assume office,” he said.

Albano, CA majority leader, said if Lopez was appointed between Oct. 22 and Nov. 6 during Congress’ recess, she could immediately assume office since she received an ad interim appointment.

Albano said he is for confirming Lopez’s appointment.

“I will support her. But for her own sake and for the sake of her agency, she should delay assuming office because she has a lot of enemies in the mining industry who could be waiting for her to commit a mistake so they could file a case against her. Her actions and decisions could be questioned,” he said.

Alternatively, he said Lopez could wait for Congress to go on its Christmas recess middle of next month and ask the President to issue her an ad interim appointment so she could immediately assume office. – With Jess Diaz