DUTERTE REITERATES SUPPORT FOR LOPEZ
President hits mining companies: I know you are funding the opposite side
President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday reiterated his support for Environment Secretary Regina Paz “Gina” Lopez, whose appointment has yet to be confirmed, and accused the mining companies of funding the opposition in its alleged efforts to destabilize the government.
“Alam ninyo, kayong mga mining, I know that you’re funding the opposition side. Alam ko kung sino gumagastos sa kanila (I know who among you is contributing funds and) I know some of you are giving funding to destabilize me,” Duterte said in a fresh tirade against the Liberal Party during a press conference held Monday in Malacañang.
Duterte said he was considering a total mining ban in the country.
“Maybe it will be worth the while to stop this total matagal pa to, tapos mag usap usap pa tayo,” he said.
He said he was willing to talk to the mining sector so they can explain to him why there is massive destruction of the environment caused by mining.
“Mga miners mag usap tayo dito. Gusto niyo tayo tayo lang. (Let’s talk among ourselves). Explain to me kung bakit ganito (why this is happening)? And explain to me well kung bakit ganito... such degradation (of the environment),” he said.
Duterte showed to media a compilation of photos of the effects of mining on the water, flora and fauna, and livelihood of people in affected areas.
“So where are the trees that God gave us? Where’s the environment that God gave us? How can you argue with Gina (Lopez) when you are confronted with this visual,” Duterte said.
“So where is the fish, where is the marine life, aquatic life? Ano ang kakainin ng mga mahihirap dito? Kukuha nang halwan (mudfish) para pang ulam?
(What will the poor eat? Mudfish?) So what can your P70 billion do for the government? Nothing,” the president said, referring to the estimated annual revenues from the mining sector.
He said he will stand by Lopez as she has done the right thing.
Duterte expressed his sup- port for Lopez ahead of the CA effectively bypassing the DENR secretary, who will be on a personal trip abroad when her confirmation hearing resumes in the last plenary session of the Senate on Wednesday.
The CA committee on environment, headed by Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, held a two-day confirmation hearing last week to hear out the various groups opposed to Lopez’s confirmation.
Lopez was praised for her passion in protecting the environment but was widely criticized for her lack of technical expertise and her alleged bias against mining.
Duterte said he will be answerable to the Filipino people if there is nothing more that is left of the environment, he said.
“Ang problema nito hinuhuli maliliit na magkaingin.. pero eto sila big and cut. So where is now the justice for the Filipino. So (you think) of resigning?,” he added.
Rather than bearing the brunt of nothing, Duterte said he will stand for the saving the country.
“I love my country more than life itself,” the president said.
Where are the trees that God gave us? Where’s the environment that God gave us? PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE