Hindi kinumpirma ng Commission on Appointments o CA ang pagkakatalaga kay Gina Lopez bilang Environment Secretary.
Sinabi ni Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Chairman Manny Pacquiao na ito ay kasunod ng labing tatlong (13) boto na nagbabasura sa appointment.
“Has putted today and has met the required 13 votes. With sadness in my heart, this committee through this plenary, is terminating its deliberation on Gina Lopez appointment not in the way I personally wanted to but by the decision of the majority which I am soared but we must all respect. To you, Gina Lopez, my suppose DENR Secretary, I salute you”, pahayag ni Pacquiao.
At bagamat malungkot, hinimok ni Pacquiao si Lopez na ituloy pa rin ang kanyang adbokasiya at ituring ang kabiguang ito, bilang simula ng kanyang panibagong laban.
“One step backward, two steps forward, I believe in my heart that no matter how several been people maybe against Gina, she will always stand on what she believes morally, is morally and environmentally right in righteous. She remains Gina Lopez Paz at Lao Lopez, the woman with a gold mind of heart. Hindi ito ang katapusan, ito ay simula pa lang ng bagong kabanata ng laban ng isang matapang, tapat, at may prinsipyong babae, at yan ay si Gina Lopez”, ani Pacquiao.
Lopez kinasuhan ng CMDC sa Ombudsman
Kinasuhan ng graft ng CMDC o Citynickel Mine Development Corporation, sa pamamagitan ni Atty. Lorna Kapunan sa Ombudsman si Environment Sec. Gina Lopez.
Ito ay kaugnay sa umano’y pamimilit ni Lopez sa isang mining firm na maglaan ng P130-M pondo sa kanyang hawak na non – government organization.
Sinabi ni Kapunan na binalewala rin ni Lopez ang pinasok na 25 taong mineral production sharing agreement ng CMDC at ng DENR.
Maliban sa kasong graft ay sinampahan din ng CMDC si Lopez ng illegal exaction, paglabag sa Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees at paglabag sa Red Tape Act of 2007.
By Katrina Valle |With Report from Cely Bueno / Jill Resontoc
