Gina Lopez stepped on too many powerful toes

What happened to Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez in the other day’s confirmation hearings before the Commission on Appointments (CA) is another visible proof that Pres. Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte is no strongman as he is being portrayed by the foreign news media, notably New York Times and Cable News Network. A strongman would have cajoled his followers to toe the line, otherwise face dire consequences.

Other pundits are saying that perhaps Pres. Duterte is losing control of the Legislature under his watch. But if you have been carefully observing what was going on with Gina Lopez, I would like to believe that it was when she suspended 28 mines and cancelled 75 mining contracts that made the CA reject her appointment. This was the second time she was rejected by the CA and when you are rejected twice then one cannot be reappointed to that position anymore.

While I admire her guts and determination however, without any doubt Gina Lopez just stepped on too many toes. One of them is San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora whose brother is founder and chairman of the giant Nickel Asia. The Philippines is the world’s biggest supplier of nickel with China as our biggest market.

In my book, Gina Lopez should have taken things easy until the CA approved her confirmation…then should could have gone for the jugular. Alas, she couldn’t wait to stop or close those in the mining industry that violated our environmental laws. Now we have lost a champion who could have done a lot to protect and preserve our environment. Pres. Duterte’s problem now is how to fill the huge shoes that Gina Lopez left behind.

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At the height of the 30th ASEAN Summit, the New People’s Army staged attacks in many places, including Davao City the hometown of Pres. Duterte when he had Indonesian President Joko Widodo as his guest. Obviously those attacks were designed to embarrass Pres. Duterte and it is another proof that the leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines in the Netherlands talking peace with the government of the Philippines are no longer in control of the cadres fighting in the hills. So what would Pres. Duterte do under these very embarrassing circumstances? Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jess Dureza sent me this official statement via my Facebook entitled, “We Will Not Be Deterred!” I’m quoting this piece in full.

“We are dismayed that although peace negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF are now making some substantial headway, their forces still continue to wage attacks that victimize civilians and inflict damage on the civilian sector. Although a bilateral ceasefire is not yet in place, the public’s common reaction to these incidents questions the sincerity of those whom we talk and deal with across the table. The public also questions their capacity to manage and control their forces on the ground. There are even calls now to stop the talks altogether and pursue an all-out military offensive against their armed groups.

There is no doubt at all that our security forces – the AFP and the PNP – with the support of the civilian communities must and can deal with these contingencies. On the other hand, we who are tasked to seek a peaceful and principled settlement must pursue, with more vigor, these peace engagements with the communist rebels. Our expectation is that our unrelenting efforts in addressing the issues, bridging the ideological divide and finding a common ground may eventually pay off and bring about just, sustainable and enduring peace in the land.

No doubt, the task is not easy, taking every necessary step, but we will continue. We will not yield in our resolve. We will not be deterred. Secretary Silvestre Bello III, government panel chair and his panel are now preparing for the forthcoming 5th round of talks on May 27 to June 1 in the Netherlands.

The working committees of both sides have been meeting continuously in the country for the purpose. President Duterte’s aspiration is to end this tragedy of Filipinos fighting Filipinos. While he boldly deals with those who bring harm to the people, his dream is to bring peace through a just and principled settlement with all rebel groups in the land. Let us all close ranks and stay the course with him.”

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