DENR chief gets GMA’s backing anew

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Heherson Alvarez has again been endorsed by President Arroyo to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation after being bypassed by the CA a number of times.

Mrs. Arroyo singled out Alvarez from among the Cabinet members who joined her in Tacloban City for the meeting of the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council yesterday.

"Where is Sonny Alvarez? Oh, here he comes. I’ve been looking for Sonny Alvarez," the President told the audience, which included congressmen from the region.

"Of course, he sat beside the congressmen so he will pass the Commission on Appointment," Mrs. Arroyo quipped.

Meanwhile, Vice President Teoofisto Guingona, who is also foreign affairs secretary, denied yesterday recommending former environment and natural resources undersecretary for legal affairs Roseller de la Peña to replace Alvarez.

"I stand by Secretary Alvarez," he said. "His mind and heart are in the right place for the good of the environment and the nation –and should therefore be confirmed."

In a letter being circulated, Guingona was supposed to have endorsed De la Peña to President Arroyo as replacement for Alvarez and that the Presidential Management Staff was said to have received the letter last April 17.

But Guingona, who is a partymate of Alvarez in pro-administration Lakas-NUCD, said the letter was not authentic and that his signature was forged.

"There exists no copy in our files of the letter dated April 2, no record that it was officially sent out, and is immaterial because there exists no vacancy," he said.

Guingona said he has consistently supported the bid of Alvarez to gain immediate approval of his nomination at the CA.

"There was no impending split in the ruling party, Lakas, despite persistent rumors that a powerful bloc in the party has been agitating for drastic changes in the leadership hierarchy," he said.

Guingona is Lakas president, while Alvarez is secretary general.

The CA committee on environment, which is hearing Alvarez’s nomination, has decided to put the matter to a vote on May 21.