P50-million bribe to block DENR appointment, Lopez discloses

Amid the various reactions to the controversial decision to close more than 20 mines, Environment Secretary Gina Lopez is unfazed by an alleged plot to block her appointment.

Lopez, in a report by GMA News' Lei Alviz on "24 Oras" on Tuesday, said there is an attempt to bribe the members of the House Committee on Appointments with P50 million if they voted against her on March 1.

"Let the dice fall where it may. And so, I don't care. I was told that every congressman was offered 50 million daw if they voted against me," she said.

"At the end of the day, before I took this job, I had one consideration - it's my spirituality," Lopez added.

Lopez did not disclose the names of individuals behind the alleged plot to block her appointment as Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary. GMA News is trying to get a statement from congressmen on the alleged bribe attempt.

Meanwhile, she remains confident that President Duterte will continue to support her.

"Kinausap ko siya kahapon before he went to the NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) board meeting and he was very supportive. He understands yung hindi dapat i-mina yung watersheds," she told reporters.

The Environment Secretary recently ordered the closure of 23 mines and the suspension of 75 Mineral Production Sharing Agreements.

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CMP), which is against her appointment as DENR Secretary citing that she does not have the experience and competence needed, claimed that due process was not followed when she issued the mine closure orders.

Lopez denied the claim, adding that the mining firms can file an appeal before the Office of the President.

Philex Mining Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan argued that the sudden closure of the mines will affect the economy and 1.2 million people who depend on the mines, including 200,000 to 300,000 laborers and their families.

"There are reasons, no doubt there have been accidents. I'm not saying no. That's why there should be more oversight of the industry. And I think the industry should self police itself," he said.

In a separate interview, Makati Business Club Executive Director Peter Angelo Perfecto also said that the DENR must make its procedures more transparent to allow erring mining companies to rectify their mistakes.

"There are probably legitimate concerns, but like we said, it would be good if the system, the process, the procedures are more transparent. So that we'll better understand who gets suspended and who doesn't," he added. — Rie Takumi/BAP, GMA News