Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez is making a last bid to have her appointment confirmed by the Commission on Appointments (CA) in the Senate.
“The central issue in my appointment is mining. I am not against mining itself,” Lopez told the CA members on Tuesday morning.
She proceeded to presenting an audio-visual presentation on the harmful effects of open-pit mining on the health of local residents.
The video material showed interviews of the victims of Marcopper Mining operations in Marinduque.
Tailing of Marcopper were directly dumped into the sea.
CA members are expected to vote on Lopez’s nomination this Tuesday afternoon.
It has yet to be known if the members will reveal the result of their voting today or tomorrow.
Senator Panfilo Lacson said, if the committee will give Lopez its nod, she will most likely also pass the separate voting in the plenary.
“Depende kung ano ang mapapa-decide-dan. Remember, may bagong rules. Lahat ng committee, may 17 members. So virtually, kung ano ang boto ng committee, yun din ang boto ng plenary,” the senator explained.
