Palace mourns death of Gina Lopez, hails ex-DENR chief’s ‘unparalled’ environmental legacy

Malacañang on Monday mourned the death of former Environment Secretary Regina "Gina" Lopez who succumbed to brain cancer.

“News has reached the Office of the President that former Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Regina Paz L. Lopez has passed, and it is with a heavy heart that we express our sincerest condolences to her family, relatives, friends and loved ones,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“The Palace deeply grieves the demise of one of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's most passionate Cabinet members whose environmental advocacy and legacy remains unparalleled to this day.”

Panelo said Lopez had “fiercely fought powerful interests” in the mining sector, as well as in industries having negative effect on the ecology.

“She would be greatly missed,” he said.

“As we pay tribute and give honor to this warrior and advocate, we fervently pray for the Almighty to grant her eternal repose. May the perpetual light shine upon her," Panelo added.

Lopez was Duterte's first DENR chief, but her stint at the department was cut short  after the powerful Commission on Appointments 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 also canceled the contracts of 75 mining companies.

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 in May 2017. —KG, GMA News