Press Release
May 3, 2017

STATEMENT OF LP PRESIDENT SEN. FRANCIS PANGILINAN ON GINA LOPEZ AT THE COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

"The decision of the Commission on Appointments to reject the appointment of Secretary Gina Lopez as the head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is saddening and disheartening.

The decision not to confirm Secretary Lopez is a rejection of the significant change that this administration had promised.

We lost the chance to have a DENR chief that will truly care, give protection, and further foster our environment and natural resources.

Liberal Party senators voted in favor for the confirmation of Secretary Lopez because her beliefs and advocacies matches that of the party's for our environment - protection, development, and a just utilization of our natural resources for the betterment of all Filipinos.

Filipinos still face many challenges caused by climate change and the destruction of our environment. Not just a small number of experts have said that after the war over gold, the next one will be over water.

We hope that this will not be the end for Secretary Lopez, that she will be one with the Filipino people in facing future actions for a clean, progressive, and safe environment.

The Liberal Party, together with the Filipino people, will continue to be vigilant for the next DENR Secretary. We hope that the next secretary will not just be qualified but will also have a heart for the environment."

On the floor, Liberal Party President Sen. Francis Pangilinan said: "We would to likewise make a manifestation. I represent the Liberal Party contingent in the Senate and with the consent of Senators Recto, Drilon, Aquino, and of course this representation, we would like to place on record that we likewise voted for the confirmation of Secretary Gina Lopez because we believe in her qualification and abilities to lead the Department."

Earlier, before the voting on Lopez's appointment, Pangilinan took his oath as minority floor leader of the Commission on Appointments (CA). Democracy necessitates the representation of minority voices in democratic bodies like Congress and the CA.

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