‘Drugs, mining lobby funding destabilization’

Total mining ban mulled

MANILA, Philippines - Concerned about the impact of open pit mining in the country, President Duterte last night asserted he would not be cowed by some mining groups that, he bared, have partnered with the opposition and drug dealers in a campaign to oust him.

“Kayong mga mining (You mining firms), I know you are funding the opposite side. Alam ko na ngayon kung sinong gumagastos sa kanila (I know now who is financing them). I know that some of you are giving funding to the other side to destabilize me,” Duterte said in a media briefing at Malacañang.

“If the police and military will allow it, it’s their problem,” the President added.

Duterte said he would not bow to the mining firms’ pressure, adding he is ready to forgo the P70 billion in revenues from this sector.

“Ngayon, kung mag-lobby-lobby lang kayo ng mining diyan o maggastos kayo. Gusto ninyo akong palitan na Presidente na paluhurin ninyo to do your bidding… (Now, if you’re just lobbying on mining firms or provide funding. You want to replace me as President who would kneel to do your bidding…),” he said before citing names of mining firms that destroyed the country’s resources during their operations.

The Chief Executive talked about destabilization moves in the briefing where he and his party mates in PDP-Laban also issued party stands on major issues ranging from federalism, corruption and the death penalty to social justice and economic development.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez sat with the President to answer queries from reporters for about two hours. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno and other officials were also present.

Duterte presented documentation and photos of the adverse impact of mining activities all over the country, as he reiterated support for Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, who failed to get the nod of the Commission on Appointments (CA) last week.

Duterte commended Philex Mining for being a responsible firm, citing tree-planting activities it has spearheaded in areas where it operates.

Seeking explanation

 Duterte then challenged the mining sector for a confrontation over the destruction on the environment by irresponsible firms, citing the Berong Nickel Corp. in Narra, Palawan; Citinickel Mines and Development Corp., Oceanagold, Emir Minerals Corp. and Adnama Mining.

“This is Berong Nickel Corp. in Narra, Palawan. Look at the greens. You think you can live with it? Because of the P70 billion? Or because nag-contribute sa campaign funds mo (it contributed to your campaign funds)? Hindi sa akin. Maski na mag-contribute ka, ganon din. Uupakan kita (Not to me. Even if you contribute, it’s the same. I’ll hit you),” he said, as he showed photos of the firm’s site.

“Explain to me how is this. Sabihin mo sa akin dito, magharapan tayo (Tell it to me here, facing each other). What have you done to my country?”

“Economy? Well, siguro, mawawalan tayo (ng) trabaho sa mga tao. Maghintay kayo (maybe, we’ll lose jobs for people. You wait). We will scrape the bottom of the barrel to look for the money, but I’m going to give you food kung ’yan lang,” he added.

Duterte expressed hope that the P70-billion revenues that could be lost from mining can be covered by new investments.

“And let us just pray that enough business will come in, new ones, but not as… not as devastating as this one. Kasayang (What a waste),” he said.

As he expressed his disappointment over the destruction of the environment, the President sought an explanation from the mining firms over their operations.

Duterte also shot down reports that he might be implicated in the destruction of the environment when these activities happened during the past administrations.

“Tapos, i-charge mo sa akin ito sa aking panahon? Ay, anak ng… Sino mananagot nito? Eh ’di ako, pati ito, pati ito. Kayo ’yung nasa power, kayo ’yung pretentious diyan (Then, you will charge it to me during my term? Son of a… Who is responsible for this? It is I, for this one. You are the ones in power, you are the pretentious ones), that we will work for the benefit of the people. God d*** this people, you are always forgotten,” he said.

Defending Lopez

A lawyer and a longtime politician, Duterte said he shares Lopez’s serious concern for the environment.

“Now, is Gina a liar? No, I don’t… Mahirap ‘to. Tingnan mong ginawa, o, green, tapos, dito (This is hard. Look what was done, green, and then, here). So where are the trees that God gave us? Where is the environment that God gave us?” he said.

“It’s visual eh. How can you argue with Gina when she’s presenting, confronting you with a visual thing? So, kami rito (we here), it appalls us,” he said.

In the same briefing, Duterte said he is amenable to the re-imposition of the mining ban.

“Maybe, it would be worth the while of Gina to re-impose the ban. Total (mining ban) muna tayo, tapos mag-usap. Dito, magprangka-prangkahan tayo (Let’s have a total mining ban first, then let’s talk, let’s be frank with one another),” he said.

Duterte urged mining firms to follow Australian or Canadian mining practices, which help preserve the environment. He also ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald dela Rosa to impose strict guidelines when it comes to giving permits for procurement of explosives such as TNT, which are mostly used in illegal mining activities.

In other developments, President Duterte said he would do “what is necessary” to protect his country’s environment when asked about his plan to impose a total mining ban.

“When it comes to the preservation of my country, the land… I will do what is necessary,” Duterte said in the same briefing.

The firebrand leader earlier said it may be “worthwhile” for Lopez to implement a ban on mining, given the environmental damage that producers have caused.

Lopez has authority to do what she likes, according to Duterte.

It was not immediately clear whether Duterte was calling for a total ban on mining or a strengthening of Lopez’s order closing more than half of the mines in the Philippines.

Graft charges vs Lopez

A nine-page complaint was filed yesterday before the Office of the Ombudsman by the Chamber of Mines, represented by its chairman Artemio Disini and spokesman Ronald Rex Recidoro.

The group charged Lopez with violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Sections 4 (b) and 5 (a) of RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The complainant said Lopez caused “undue injuries” to the mining industry when it ordered the closure of 23 mining firms and suspension of five other firms based on an unsubstantiated mining audit.

The group lamented that as early as September last year, Lopez had already announced the suspension of about 20 mining firms even before the results of the DENR mining audit was completed.

Lopez may also face graft charges after intervening with the Department of Energy (DOE) to award a service contract to a private company for a $100-million power plant in Zamboanga City.

Vienna Tañada, business development officer of Eco Global Inc., will file on Wednesday before the Office of the Ombudsman cases for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“Lopez could be found guilty... for having sought to influence the DOE to award the contract to Eco Global and for traveling to France with all expenses paid by the company to visit one of its partners in Paris,” Lester Pascua, Tañada’s spokesman said.

Pascua added that Eco Global paid for a trip to France for Lopez and her five-person party last Oct. 2, a day before the DOE awarded it the renewable energy service contract (RESC).

Last Sept. 29, Eco Global chief executive officer Jean-Philippe Henry, a Frenchman, issued a letter of guarantee to the French embassy in Manila pledging to pay Lopez’s team’s “airfare, hotel accommodations, insurance coverage and travel allowances for the entire duration of their business trip.” 

– With Reuters, Rhodina Villanueva, Louise Maureen Simeon, Non Alquitran