Mining companies threatened by next DENR secretary Gina Lopez.
Mining companies are allegedly threatened by the appointment of Gina Lopez as the next Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary.
See Also: Manny Pangilinan Calls Gina Lopez “Elephant In The Room”
Gina Lopez, an anti-mining advocate, was appointed by incoming president Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday.
According to GMA report, Philex Mining chairman Manny Pangilinan said that the share prices of oil and mining plunged following the appointmen of Gina Lopez in the said agency.
However, Pangilinan said that they respect the decision of president-elect to pick Gina Lopez as the next secretary of DENR.
“If he (President-elect Rodrigo Duterte) has nominated or asked Gina Lopez to be DENR secretary so be it. We respect that decision if in his own wisdom, he felt she’s the right person for that post then we respect that,” he said.
Gina Lopez is the current chairman of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation. She is known for her work in rehabilitating the Pasig River through the “Kapit Bisig Para Sa Ilog Pasig” program.
Gina Lopez is the daughter of ABS-CBN’s chairman emeritus Eugenio Lopez Jr.
Pangilinan, on the other hand, is the head of Philex Mining, the biggest mining company and the biggest gold producer in the country. He is also the chairman of PLDT and TV5 Network.
In 2012, Lopez and Pangilinan had a heated exchange during a conference about the effects of mining in the environment and economy.
