QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — Former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, urged the public, including her supporters, to give the newly appointed Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary, Roy Cimatu a “chance.”
This was disclosed on Monday afternoon during Lopez’s speech expressing her gratitude after a group of environmental activists chained themselves to the gate of the DENR office.
This was to protest the alleged influence of big businesses in government, particularly in the rejection of her appointment as environment secretary.
Lopez also advised the Greenpeace activists led by Southeast Asia executive Yeb Saño to withdraw their protests.
A banner with a message that read “DENR: Not open for business” was hung in the gates of DENR to show their outcries.
On Wednesday (May 3), the Commission on Appointments (CA) rejected Lopez as the DENR secretary after three confirmation hearings.
The group condemned the CA’s decision for rejecting Lopez, calling it a “rejection of change,” and criticized the politicians for allegedly serving the best of their interests.
“People do this out of courage and love. That kind of commitment should be applauded,” Lopez said.
Jodi Bustos, Eagle News Service