CA members to Duterte: What lobby money?

Members of the Commission on Appointments (CA) refuted the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte that “lobby money” was involved in the bicameral body’s vote to reject the appointment of Gina Lopez as Environment secretary.

“I’m sure it doesn’t apply to me,” Senator Panfilo Lacson, one of those who voted against Lopez’s appointment, said in a text message when sought for comment.

Lacson had said that Lopez was neither fit nor qualified for the post, and that she "has authoritarian tendencies."

Manila Rep. Sandy Ocampo, who said she voted for Lopez, said: “Nobody offered me money.”

In a speech in Davao City, Duterte expressed regret that his appointee was rejected by the CA.

"Sayang si Gina. I really like her passion. But you know how it is. This is democracy. But lobby money talks," Duterte said.

"May mga gusto akong tao pero hindi ko kontrolado ang lahat pero I share powers. That is the process of check and balances," he added.

Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, CA majority leader, also denied being influenced by lobby money, albeit indirectly at first.

Albano initially refused to comment on the President's statement in a phone interview, saying "Kung 'yun ang sinabi ng Presidente. Ako naman, 'no talk, no mistake.'"

However, he eventually said it wasn't true, as shown by the results of the supposedly secret voting.

"Nobody approached us naman for that. At saka kung may nag-lobby siguro, hindi lang ganu'n 'yung boto, may nag-abstain pa," he said.

"Kung may lobby money diyan, siguro naniguro 'yung mga lobbyist na hindi ganu'n karami 'yung mag-abstain saka mag-support kay Gina," he added.

"Basta ako, 'no talk, no mistake,' para hindi rin makasakit kay Presidente, hindi rin ako makasakit kay Sec. Gina. Bahala na sila kung ano 'yung isipin nila... Basta sa akin, du'n sa nangyaring confirmation na 'yan, walang ganu'n."

Asked about the tally, Albano said he had "forgotten" about this, as well as what his vote was. He maintained, however, that some even abstained.

GMA News Online also sought San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, CA vice chair, and member Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato for comment, but they have yet to respond.

Sources earlier said that the vote on Lopez’s appointment, done through secret balloting, was 16-8, with the majority rejecting her. — MDM/JST, GMA News