POCA
Last Wednesday and Thursday, I watched the confirmation hearing of Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, and it was an eye-opener.
Initially, I didn’t give much attention until I heard her answer hard questions from some members of the Commission on Appointments.
I really pity Ms. Gina Lopez for having to answer questions that were sometimes insulting from these legislators who repeatedly asked them as if to mock her.
Last Thursday was particularly trying for Lopez as she had to hear the complaints of 22 oppositors who were clearly siding with the mining firms.
They had the same complaint: closing the mines means they would lose employment and the benefits offered by these mining firms.
Lopez countered that these mining companies have violated the mining laws, exploited the mining sites and destroyed the environment, thus robbing the people of the livelihood they can make in these areas.
You can sense that some members of the commission were leaning towards the mining companies but were very careful in their questions so as not to show their true colors.
The issue that was repeatedly asked in the hearing was how to deal with the miners who were displaced by the closure of the mining firms.
Those who asked that question merely betray their myopic views on the real issue which is the continued environmental destruction caused by unregulated mining and it showed their conflict of interest.
They failed to appreciate Lopez’s proposal for sustainable development that would help these displaced families earn a decent livelihood from the very environment that these mining firms have stripped bare and exploited to the hilt.
I say that Lopez is a bright spot in this administration. As environment secretary, she knows her job and is sincere, honest and passionate in pursuing her agency’s mandate.
She exemplifies the rare political will to fight those greedy and abusive mining companies.
If I were President Rodrigo Duterte, I will back her all the way and support her honest initiative to cleanse the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the mining sector.
Finally we have found in Lopez a true public servant who lives by the slogan “service above self” unlike many of our senators and congressmen who are a joke.
Lately I heard that President Duterte is backing Miss Lopez all the way even if by doing so the government loses P70 billion in taxes from these mining companies.
I think it is about time that our people should rally behind Lopez because she is an asset to the government and to the people.
I see a bright future for Lopez in government because she is sensible and passionate in her work and advocacy.
A valid question was raised on why only oppositors and not supporters of Lopez were allowed to speak during the hearings.
It is a shame that the CA members allowed themselves to be used by the big mining companies in order to crucify Lopez, but they are not going to succeed because she now has public support on her side.