(Eagle News) — Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez on Sunday, March 12, thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for supporting her on her campaign against irresponsible mining.
Lopez also commended the President on his love and care for the country.
She also called the President the “real thing” due to his perseverance to support her on her anti-mining stance.
“In the plane already… want to say one more thing.. that I am deeply and profoundly touched by the support of the president. This is what I know of the man. He is the real thing. (He’s) not plastic at all. He deeeeeply cares for our people… and he deeeeeply cares for the country,” Lopez in a Facebook post said.
“He is humble, unassuming and he CARES. I continue to be touched by his courage at supporting my controversial decisions.. My heart continues to resonate with his zero tolerance for corruption – and his stance at getting things done and done quickly…. he is the real thing,” she continued.
Lopez also said that she will continue to be the President’s “ally for all that is good and true and noble for the country.”
The President on Saturday, March 11, said that he is willing to support the secretary and is willing to lose P70-billion in mining revenue to save the country and “preserve our environment.”
“Look at mining, the rice fields that are crashed by a landslide and the water that are contaminated. I don’t have problem about mining… The problem is I saw the denuded [mountains] and until now, the holes are already shallow because there’s an open pit,” he said.
“You know if that’s the case, I have to support Lopez and I cannot help you. Let me just add that it only contributes to the country about P70 billion in taxes. We can live without it. I would rather follow Gina,” he added. Duterte said the country could still gain profit through other means.
“Let”s look at other ways. Get the P70 billion somewhere else and preserve our environment,” he said.
Eagle News Service