Miners to oppose Lopez confirmation as DENR chief before CA

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) is filing before the Commission on Appointments (CA) an opposition to the confirmation of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez.

"COMP will file its opposition against the appointment of Gina Lopez today. COMP will be at the CA before lunch," the chamber said in an email to reporters Monday.

Lopez was unfazed by the latest development. "They have the right to do whatever they want. And I will continue to live by my principles. Let the dice fall where they may," the Cabinet official said in a separate text message to GMA News Online.

On Sunday, President Duterte visited earthquake-ravaged Surigao City and gave a speech before the survivors during which he scolded the mining companies operating in the province after he witnessed from a helicopter what he said was the results of destructive mining.

"I can't do anything if Environment Secretary Gina Lopez would order the closure of erring mining operations," the President said.

Earlier this month, Lopez ordered 23 mining operations closed and five others suspended as a result of a months-long environmental audit by the Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR).

The chamber has decried the move, with seven of its members on the list of the companies for closure and two for suspension, claiming the orders were made public during a press conference and before any of miners actually received any order from the DENR.

It urged the DENR to make public the orders, as well as the specific details that compelled the department to issue the closure and suspension orders.

In another press briefing on Thursday, Lopez said the miners will receive the audit results within two days.

Last June, President Rodrigo Duterte offered Lopez – a staunch anti-mining advocate – the Cabinet position.

After Lopez accepted the position, mining and oil shares plunged by as much as 837.14 points or 7.31 percent on the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Last week, Lopez said she was unsure how long she would remain in the Cabinet and cited the upcoming CA confirmation hearings regarding her appointment. — VDS, GMA News