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'Sayang si Gina': Duterte says on Lopez rejection

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Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/05/03/duterte-lopez-050317.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">President Rodrigo Duterte and Gina Lopez. <cite>Composite</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><h3>Lobby money talks - Duterte</h3><p>MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday expressed sadness over the Commission on Appointment&#x27;s <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/03/17/ca-rejects-lopez-as-environment-secretary">rejection</a> of Environment Secretary Gina Lopez. </p><p>&quot;Sayang si Gina. I really liked her passion,” Duterte said in a speech in Davao City.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href=" http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/04/17/lopez-wants-to-serve-as-duterte-aide-bucks-running-in-polls">READ: Lopez wants to serve as Duterte &#x27;aide,&#x27; bucks running in polls</a></li></ul><p>Duterte conceded that the CA was within its powers when it decided on Lopez&#x27;s case.</p><p>&quot;The President appoints but the appointee has to undergo the scrutiny of the Commission on Appointments.&quot; </p><p>He also hinted that lobby money may have worked against Lopez.</p><p>“This is a democracy. And lobby money talks. I don’t control everything,” he said.</p><p>Lopez, a committed environmentalist, angered the mining industry after ordering the closure of 22 of the Philippines&#x27; 41 mines in February to protect water resources in the world&#x27;s top nickel ore exporter.</p><p>She later canceled dozens of contracts for undeveloped mines and just last week banned future open-pit mining projects as she tightened her crackdown of a sector she blames for extensive environmental damage.</p><p>The Office of the President has not made any announcement yet on Lopez&#x27;s possible replacement.</p><p>Lawyer Mark Tolentino, the President&#x27;s supporter and Lex Taleonis fraternity brother at San Beda, is reportedly being groomed to replace Lopez.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1454340" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure>

<p>MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday expressed sadness over the rejection of his appointment of Environment Secretary Gina Lopez.</p><p> </p>

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday expressed sadness over the rejection of his appointment of Environment Secretary Gina Lopez.

'Sayang si Gina': Duterte says on Lopez rejection

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'Sayang si Gina': Duterte says on Lopez rejection

Dharel Placido,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 04, 2017 05:16 PM PHT

|

Updated May 05, 2017 12:33 AM PHT

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