DAVAO CITY, Philippines–President Rodrigo R. Duterte felt sorry for former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez over the rejection of Commission on Appointments (CA).
“You know how it is, this is a democracy. And lagi (always) money talks,” Duterte added.
“Sayang si Gina. I really like her passion but I remember talking about her in one of — ganitong gathering (in this kind og gathering),” Duterte said in his speech during the opening ceremony of the 27th Philippine Orthopedic Association Mid-Year Convention at SMX Convention Center in Davao City on Thursday, May 4.
Duterte took Lopez citing her passion to protect the environment but she failed to get the confirmation of the powerful committee.
Citing check and balance between the executive and the legislative, Duterte sad he respects the decision but hinted money changes the hands of the committee members.
The Committee is composed of members from the Senate and the House of Representatives.
“So hindi ko talaga kontrolado ang lahat. Gusto ko. May mga tao ako na gusto ko, pero I share powers (So, I cannot control everything. I want some people to be in the government but I share powers). And that is the process of checks and balances,” he said.
On Wednesday, majority of the members of the CA junked Lopez bid to be the Environment Secretary.-Armando B. Fenequito Jr./Newsline.ph
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