Duterte sees ‘conspiracy’ in rejection of Gina Lopez as DENR chief

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday floated a "conspiracy" behind Congress' decision in May last year to reject Gina Lopez's appointment as environment secretary.

Duterte made the pronouncement during the 31st anniversary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City, where Lopez was one of the guests.

"So nung si Ma’am Gina tinanggal ng Commission on Appointments, it was maybe because she became very strong against the business sa mining industry," the President said.

"I think there was a conspiracy to remove her. And they did. Well anyway, the rest is history. She was doing well. She was going against moneyed people and she was against the destruction of her native land," he added.

He then reiterated his promise to ban open-pit mining.

"Alam ng mining people ‘yan na talagang hihintuin ko ‘yan. Maybe they’d try to revive it at some other time, but it’s not really my concern anymore. I’ll just do what I have to do during my time," Duterte said.

Lopez was Duterte's first DENR chief, but her stint at the department was cut short after the powerful congressional body voted to reject her appointment.

At least 12 of the oppositions filed with the CA against her were about the order to close and suspend mining operations. Lopez, a known anti-mining advocate, also canceled the contracts of 75 mining companies.

Lopez also faced questioning on the basis of her memorandum imposing a P2-million trust fund per hectare of land disturbed by mining operations.

Duterte earlier went as far as indicate that lobby money played a role in the bicameral body's decision to thumb down Lopez's appointment.

Several members of the commission then came out to deny the allegation.

Lopez was succeeded by former Armed Forces chief Roy Cimatu, whose 72nd birthday coincided with the DENR event. — BM, GMA News