Rody’s 'money talks' comment on Gina rejection foul — Ping

Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday deplored President Duterte’s comment that “lobby money talks” in the rejection of Gina Lopez as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) by the Commission on Appointments (CA).

Duterte made the statement on Wednesday following the rejection by the CA of the nomination of Lopez as environment secretary.

The President said the rejection of Lopez was democracy at work. He blamed it on a strong lobby, though he did not name any particular group or person. “Money talks,” he said.

Duterte said he could “not control everything,” even if he is the President.

Duterte apparently was referring to the lobby of mining firms, who were among the most vocal in opposing Lopez’s appointment before the CA.

Lacson said he did not feel alluded to by Duterte’s remarks, although he made it clear that he was not in favor of Lopez.

“With certainty, the President’s ‘money lobby talks’ comment does not apply to me… nevertheless, I think it is unfortunate if not inappropriate and uncalled for,” Lacson said.

“It is a sweeping assault not only on the integrity of the members of the CA who voted for rejection but the CA itself, being an independent constitutional body,” he said.

Malacañang, on the other hand, defended the President over his lobby statements.

Chief presidential legal adviser Salvador Panelo said Duterte may not have pressured the CA over Lopez but he can criticize the lawmakers if he had to regarding the rejection.

“He is the President and he has resources. It’s a democratic country. Each branch, while respecting each other’s turf, can also make constructive criticisms on functions that it does,” Panelo said.

Panelo also defended Sen. Alan Cayetano, whom detractors claimed received lobby money from a mining magnate.

“I will not believe that because I know Alan. It’s out of character. He is not tainted with corruption. His upbringing repels that kind of insinuation,” Panelo said.

Some lawmakers disputed Duterte’s statements that lobby money could have been used to influence the CA body to reject Lopez’s appointment.

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, who voted for Lopez’s appointment, said if some of his colleagues in the CA who had interests in mining took his advice to inhibit from the voting, the public perception on what transpired “would not have been as bad.”

“But here you have the head of the House of Representatives contingent, vice chairman of the powerful CA, also part owner of one of the biggest mining firms in the country,” he said, referring to San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora.

“A little delicadeza would have changed the perception,” Ejercito said.

Zamora, for his part, claimed he is not into mining.

His family owns Nickel Asia, one of the biggest mining companies in the country. One mine operated by Nickel Asia was among the 23 mines Lopez had ordered closed. However, the mines continue to operate because their closure is on appeal with Duterte.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, who also voted for Lopez, was not bothered by Duterte’s comment.

Being the Chief Executive, Duterte knows many things that lawmakers don’t, he said.

“It’s not his habit to interfere with Congress. At most, at times, he just makes suggestions,” Sotto said.

Fed to the lions

Although not a member of the CA, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said he does not believe that Duterte was really supportive of Lopez.

“I’m not buying it. Duterte fed Gina Lopez to the lions. Contrary to the impression that he is backing Lopez all the way, Duterte didn’t lift a finger to influence the House members of the CA, most of whom would’ve gladly obeyed his wishes,” Trillanes said in a statement.

“Would these congressmen openly defy Duterte and reject Lopez if they are sure that he really wants her to be confirmed? Of course they won’t,” he said.

Trillanes said if Duterte is truly anti-mining as he claims to be, then he should again appoint a known anti-mining advocate as Lopez’s replacement in the DENR.

“Duterte is playing Pontius Pilate in Gina’s case. He mentions democracy and checkand-balance when it is convenient for him. But the fact is he did not lobby for Gina among CA members, just like what he did with other Cabinet members such as Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II,” Rep. Gary Alejano of party-list Magdalo said.

Alejano said he once heard a colleague in the House sitting in the CA saying in Filipino, “The President has firm instructions for us to confirm Aguirre.”

Alejano is the complainant in the impeachment case filed against Duterte. The House is expected to send the complaint to the committee on justice on Tuesday.

“Duterte played with Gina and with the minds of the public, but in reality, he is party to why she was not confirmed,” Alejano said.

He said if the President really supported Lopez and pushed for her confirmation, the CA, which is dominated by Duterte allies, would have confirmed her months ago.

Alejano said he would file a resolution asking the House to investigate the President’s allegation that money was the reason behind Lopez’s rejection.

“If the House is serious and is not guilty of the accusation, the Speaker should give due course to the resolution,” he added.

Alejano pointed out that Duterte’s “money talks claim is an assault on the integrity of the CA and the House, since I understand that the House contingent voted as a bloc against Gina Lopez,” he said.

CA chairman Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said he would order an inquiry into the President’s claim “if there is evidence.”

Members of the House contingent in the CA denied the President’s allegation.

“No such thing. She was rejected because we felt she was unfit to continue serving as secretary of environment and natural resources,” said Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, the CA majority leader.

As for former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, the rejection of Lopez by the CA meant a “big loss” to the Duterte administration.

“I have known her for a very long time. She is a big loss to the Duterte administration. She is not after the salary. She is serving the government out of her passion to help the country, especially the poor,” Estrada said.

Estrada said Lopez was instrumental in the city government’s success in its effort to clean up the esteros in Manila.

“She helped us clean up the esteros in Manila during her stint as head of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission. She worked hand in hand with the city government,” Estrada said.