Former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Roy Cimatu has been confirmed as the secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
On Wednesday, October 4, the Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed the ad interim appointment of the latter.
According to Senator Manny Pacquiao, the ex-AFP chief of staff received an “overwhelming” number of yes votes during the CA plenary session.
“Mr President, it is my great pleasure and honor to report to the Commission, to the President, to the men and women of DENR, and to the whole nation of the overwhelming yes votes of the members of this Commission confirming and affirming the ad interim appointment of our 16th DENR Secretary in the person of Roy Cimatu,” Pacquiao said.
Based on the report of Rappler.com, Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Vicente Sotto III and Loren Legarda, also gave a message of support to the newly confirmed DENR secretary.
Meanwhile, in a statement released by Cimatu following his confirmation, he noted that his leadership will focus on “people-centered agenda in pursuit of environmental protection and sustainable development.”
“The challenge for me now is to prove that President Rodrigo Duterte and the honorable members of the CA have made the right decision in placing their trust and confidence in my abilities to lead the DENR towards fulfilling the broad mandate entrusted to it,” he said.
Cimatu replaced Gina Lopez who was rejected by the CA as Environment Secretary.