Palawan NGOs withdraw support to Gina Lopez as DENR chief

http://palawan-news.com/palawan-ngos-withdraw-support-gina-lopez-denr-chief/

The Palawan NGO Network Incorporated (PNNI), a network of 34 non-government (NGO) and people’s organizations (PO) in Palawan, has withdrawn their support to the confirmation of Regina Paz Lopez as full-pledged Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), this according to Atty. Robert Chan, PNNI Executive Director.

Per Chan, they have decided to refuse endorsing support to Lopez after the latter’s decision to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the provincial government to co-manage certain areas in Palawan. The co-management agreement, which covers around 731,710 hectares of forest lands, protected areas, mangrove forest and coastal areas, and around 9,800 square-kilometers of coral reefs, has been criticized by PNNI and other NGOs in the province as lacking scientific basis and public consultation. Non-profit groups also claimed the agreement deprived civil society organizations of proper representation in its Technical Working Group.

“Yung mga kaalyado ni Sec Gina ay kumuha ng endorsement ng Palawan NGO Network Inc. Ang hinihingi nilang suporta para sa kumpirmasyon ni Secretary Gina Lopez ay hindi namin maibigay dahil sa MOA na ito. Napakalaki ng kanyang isinugal sa MOA na ito,” Chan lamented. (“Sec. Gina’s allies have asked for our signature as endorsement of support for her confirmation [as DENR Secretary]. We cannot give her the endorsement they’re asking for because of this MOA. She gambled a lot in this MOA”).

Chain said their organization has sent a letter to Lopez last February 27 urging her to revoke her decision on the MOA. Majority of the group’s member have agreed to withdraw their support to Lopez in a recently-held Board and General Assembly meeting.

“Hangga’t hindi nya nakikita ang kahalagahan ng kanyang pagkapirma, mananatili kaming matigas na hindi dapat magbigay ng suporta sa isang tao ipinagkanulo niya ang halos kalahati ng kalupaan ng Palawan sa isang tao na ang utak ay gamitin ang likas-yaman at hindi ‘yung protektahin,” Chan pointed out.

PNNI’s exec also expressed disappointment on how people only see Lopez as an anti-mining crusader, when in fact the latter is only among the many tasks of a DENR chief. According to Chan, there are other sectors of the environment to be considered, such forestry and fishery, as well as the issue on climate change.

“Kung ang nakikita natin magaling siya mag-handle ng issue sa mining, ang DENR, hindi naman ‘yan Department of Mining lang,” Chan underscored. (“What we see is she’s good in handling mining issues, but DENR, it’s not just a Department of Mining.”)

Chan then went to challenge Palaweños if they see any major accomplishment of Lopez for the forestry and fishery sectors of the province.

“Kung wala kang madidinig, puro mining lang. Kailangang pag-aralan mo ano ba ang basehan ng pagiging magaling niya sa larangan ng DENR kung ang larangan na natutukan niya ay ‘yun lang sa mining?” Chan asked. (“If you did not hear anything, and just mining, maybe it’s time to assess what’s the basis of her being excellent in DENR if she only focuses on mining?”)

Meanwhile, the DENR, along with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and Brooke’s Point’s local government, recently conducted a planning workshop on how to implement the said co-management agreement, with Amas, Brooke’s Point as pilot site.

Relatedly, some 340 members of Indigenous Peoples in Brooke’s Point are opposing the project as it supposedly will cover areas within their ancestral domains. The group also alleged that some of the project’s targets areas include those within the Mount Mantalingan Protected Landscape. Critics also argue that the program’s proposal to plant bamboo and nepier grass as livestock feed will affect the area’s biodiversity.

EXPOSED: Mga kapalpakan ni Gina Lopez

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KUMAKALAT ngayon ang isang opposition paper sa confirmation sa Commission on Appointments ni Gina Lopez bilang Environment Secretary kung saan sinasabi na siya ay naglustay ng milyong-milyong piso, itinaboy ang mga katutubo mula sa kanilang lupa, walang habas na nagputol ng mga puno, at kinopo ang mga proyekto ng gobyerno para sa kapakinabangan ng mga kompanya ng kapamilya gamit ang kanyang estado bilang isang environment advocate.

Basehan nito ang iniulat ng Finance Department na aabot sa halos isang bilyong piso ang mawawalang buwis sa mga lokal na pamahalaan sa desisyon ni Sec. Gina na ipasara ang 28 mining sites sa buong bansa.

Ayon sa report, tatamaan ang kita ng 17 siyudad at munisipalidad sa 10 probinsiya ng bansa.

Lumilitaw din na panget ang track record ni Lopez sa pamamahala sa mga eco-tourism project at ilan dito ang tatlong environment project na in-award sa kanya.

May conflict of interest dahil tumayong managing director si Lopez sa ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. at Bantay Kalikasan na nagkamal ng salapi mula sa mga naturang proyekto.

Tumakbo ang mga tinukoy na proyekto ni Lopez na Sabsaban Falls Eco-tourism Project sa Palawan, La Mesa Ecopark Project sa Quezon City, at Pasig River Rehabilitation Project sa ilalim ng mga nagdaang administrasyon at nagripuhan ang kaban ng bayan ng multi-milyong piso.

Kasabay ng kumakalat na opposition paper na ito, nagpasa rin sa CA ang mga katutubo sa Surigao ng isa pang opposition paper laban kay Sec. Lopez.

Anila, maghihirap silang muli kapag ipinahinto ng kalihim ang pagmimina sa kanilang probinsiya lalo’t lumalabas na walang kahandaan ang ibang departamento ng gobyerno para matugunan ang kanilang sitwasyon na resulta ng padalos-dalos na hakbang ni Sec. Gina.

Is Gina Lopez being used by the Aquinos?

The closure of mines is allegedly a subtle way of bringing down the Duterte administration under the guise of environmental care and concern. The easiest way to impeach the President and get the Yellows ruling again is to let the economy suffer and dive into the pit. 

But why is Gina Lopez allowing herself to be used as a puppet?

History will tell us.

The Lopez family are allies with the Cojuangco-Aquino clan. They are members of the oligarchy that owned much of the Philippine land and assets. This includes Meralco and ABSCBN, the largest TV station in the country. In 1972, then President Ferdinand Marcos sequestered the power company and the station.

With the People Power Revolution in 1986, the oligarchs were able to successfully take office through then President Cory Aquino. Within a year in office, Cory returned Meralco and ABSCBN to the original owners without pay at least for the improvements in the interregnum. Meralco was later on sold to the Pangilinans while the station remained with the Lopezes.

The Lopezes owe the Aquinos a huge debt of gratitude. In the country, this entails the “debtor” to provide what the “creditor” is asking. In this case, the Lopezes owe it to the Aquinos to render any service the latter may need from the former. Damn if they don’t.

Is this why Gina Lopez met with President Rodrigo Duterte after winning the Presidential race and held a very long meeting with him? Is this why Gina Lopez immediately accepted the Environment Secretary position when the President offered it to her, which offer was not seriously made as mentioned by the President in his State of the Nation Address? Is this why Gina Lopez refused to acknowledge the audit results conducted by the experts in her very own agency? Is this why Gina Lopez deferred disclosure of the mine audit results?

Ultimately, is this why Gina Lopez ordered the closure of mine sites without having an alternative source of income for the affected families, letting them languish in hunger and poverty? Who cares? They are oligarchs; they will disregard everything else for their insatiable appetite to make money.

The question is, will we let our environment agency be run by a puppet Lopez whose decisions are prejudiced by the dictates of their creditor? For who in her right mind would rally against responsible mining when the family’s business primarily survives because of mining?

Let us not be blinded. Saying no to Gina Lopez is not saying no to her person, but saying a huge no to the real reasons of her decisions and the family behind these irrational unscientific orders. Let us not be blinded by her sweet words and her fake passion. Contrary to her messianic zeal, Gina Lopez is not an environmental heroine but an Aquino-wealth and power feeder. Let’s not kid ourselves –the oligarchs are here to stay and they will do everything to amass wealth for themselves. I know, we will not be fooled.

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Gina Lopez’s History of Drug Dependency and Personality Disorder

Gina Lopez is not only a spoiled brat, she is also a former drug addict. Maybe it would be in everyone’s best interest if she finishes her rehabilitation!

Gina Lopez is not only a spoiled brat, she is also a former drug addict. She was committed to a drug rehabilitation facility by her own mother. She fled the facility knowing that a medical examination would be made to properly diagnose her drug dependence and personality disorder.

G.R.-No.-L-38850-November-28-1975

This bit of history is important, moreso in her role as DENR Secretary. It is highly likely that Lopez has channeled her energy away from drug addiction to a new-found passion–it would soon become apparent to everyone that this was her advocacy in protecting the environment.

It is common for recovering addicts to commit themselves to a higher purpose, submitting themselves to something bigger than them. It is a necessary step in their fight against their own demons.

The problem of course is that government institutions are not rehab facilities. They are not personal churches. They are not a universe you can re-arrange just so they can revolve around you.

Perhaps it would be best if Lopez would subject herself to medical professionals for a proper diagnosis. If you are to be responsible for the death of an industry that mean so much to many communities let alone a nation’s economy, we deserve to know if you are not, in fact, unhinged.

Better yet, maybe it would be in everyone’s best interest if she finishes her rehabilitation in the proper facilities.

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EXPOSED: Gina Lopez, her family, and their history of ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS!

Cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are deadly byproducts of the power plant. The Lopezes violated many environmental laws.

Back in 2001, when the elite commercial and business district we now know as Rockwell was just rising from the ground, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) took the Lopezes to task for their violations of environmental laws. You see, the place where the Lopez owned district would rise was once a Meralco power plant, which was also once owned by the influential family.

Cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are deadly byproducts of the power plant. And the Lopezes, in their eagerness to provide the richest of the rich an exclusive community, violated many environmental laws just to rid of Rockwell of these hazardous refuse. Their solution? Entomb PCBs in cement and bury it in neighbouring community of San Joaquin. San Joaquin is home to low to middle income residents. And it stands on a major faultline. If struck by an earthquake, PCBs will surely leak out to the soil. In fact, even without an earthquake, PCBs may still leak out as cement is a porous material. PCBs are so toxic, even minute amounts of it can do damage to a person’s health.

Which puts to question Gina Lopez’s qualification as DENR secretary. Given her family’s history, why should we entrust this person to safeguard our environment? Will she hold her family accountable for their disregard of the safety of common folks?

Clearly, the Lopezes put on a false appearance of virtue. They act in contradiction to their stated beliefs. Incidentally, these are the definitions of the word hypocrite.

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GINA LOPEZ, BINIGYAN NG BILYONG PISONG KONTRATA ANG SARILING PAMILYA

GINAGAMIT ni Environment Secretary Gina Lopez ang kanyang puwesto sa administrasyon para tumabo ng pera ang kompanya na pag-aari ng kanyang pamilya.

Ito ay matapos niyang bigyan nitong January lang ng environment compliance certificate (ECC) ang Green Core Geothermal Inc. na maitayo ang Tongonan Geothermal Power Project in Barangay Lim-ao, Kananga, Leyte kasabay ng kanyang pagpapasara o pagsuspinde sa operasyon ng mga kakompetensiyang kompanya.

Kapalit ng pagkakamal ng kita ng Green Core Geothermal Inc. ay litaw na litaw ang bias at conflict of interest sa parte ni Sec. Lopez at ito ang dapat mabatid ng mga mambabatas na uupo sa confirmation ng kalihim sa March 1.

Ang takot ng marami ay hindi magagampanan nang ganap ni Sec. Lopez ang kanyang tungkulin kapag ganito lalo’t ang Lopez family ay involved sa energy sector.

Ang tanong tuloy ngayon ay paano niya bibigyan ng patas na hatol ang mga environment catastrophe kapag sangkot na ang energy business ng mga Lopez tulad 2010 FPIC pipeline na sumira sa West Tower Condominium.

Ang geothermal power plant ng mga Lopez na kompleto sa auxiliary systems at 138-kilovolt substation ay nakatayo sa mahigit 14 ektarya ng bundok at inaasahang makalilikha ng 123 megawatts.

Maaaring imbestigahan ng publiko ang inisyung ECC pabor sa Green Core Geothermal Inc. sa tanggapan ng Environmental Management Bureau na pirmado ng isang Jacqueline Caancan — ang officer-in-charge ng tanggapan — gamit ang otoridad o by the authority ni Lopez.

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Erwin Tulfo opposes Gina Lopez

“As far as I’m concerned, ‘di na karapat-dapat na manatili pa sa panunungkulan itong DENR Secretary na ito, Manong Digong, Sir.” - Erwin Tulfo

Charade for Greed: The Lopez Family Genes

Without doubt, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) head Gina Lopez has a new found popularity as the new environmental hero. As of posting, her Facebook page alone has 309,600 likes with a stunning 112,655 new page likes that is a whopping 161.2% spike. The spike is common to those political promotion pages where likes are ‘bought’ to make an impression that the page is quite ‘popular’. Are the “likes” even real in the first place?  In today’s highly competitive digital marketing world, automated and fictitious accounts, more known in the industry as “bots” or robots in common language are behind those “likes”.  In other words, these are automated programs run by the computer or by a human with multiple accounts used for “liking” and “sharing” pages and accounts to make the page or post appear legitimately liked by real people, when in fact paid trolls are behind it.  We can only speculate if the well protected oligarchy that supposedly fights for freedom of expression has plans for a Senate seat in the near future. Or even perhaps the presidency, besides her social media stardom can have an impact should she ever run for a higher seat.

With this popularity comes people’s appreciation for her staunch hard-line approach. So the question that begs to be asked is, how much of an environmental advocate really is Gina Lopez?  Is Gina Lopez really the selfless “Mother Teresa of Mother Nature” she and her family’s media conglomerate all true or just a ruse to hide the fact that she is instead the successor to her late grandfather, the former vice president’s true legacy of using her government position to benefit her family’s greedy interest in the environment?

Let’s backtrack a bit and see how the Lopez clan came into power.  From a simple mayor of a provincial city, Lopez quickly rose in the national political scene by becoming senator then later vice president to Elpidio Quirino, then later to Ferdinand Marcos.  Shortly after winning the 1965 elections, the Lopez-owned Meralco began eating up the competition around its base of operation until it had complete monopoly of the power distribution.  So it comes as no surprise that Meralco’s revenue from P5 million in 1962 quickly shot up to P69 million before the end of the decade.  During the same period, Meralco’s assets grew from P155 million to P1.037 billion.  The break with the Marcoses happened when the late dictator said that the Lopezes were asking for more concessions to advance their businesses, one of them is the granting of a permit to exclusively operate a geothermal plant in Manila.  The Lopezes say Marcos wants more slice of their family’s corporate pie.  Whoever was telling the truth no one knows. But here is one truth to the story.  After the Marcoses left the country in 1986, the Lopezes was back again in the power generation and distribution business. That geothermal plant in Batangas?  That is now the BacMan Geothermal Power Plant operated by the Lopez family’s Energy Development Corporation (EDC)

Contrary to popular belief, the Lopezes are bad with managing their business, so bad they need the help of the crook Ferdinand Marcos to save their company from bankruptcy.  That’s right.  There are documentary evidence to prove that the Lopezes “appealed” to the dictator for the government to take over Meralco because of the imminent bankruptcy the power distribution company was facing. Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, then the defense minister of Marcos said he has copies of the letter to prove that it is not true that the “martial law government (forcibly) took over Meralco."  Enrile said he posseses, among other documents, two letters from the late Vice President Fernando Lopez, offering to sell Meralco to Marcos. The first letter was dated Feb. 19, 1973, while the second was written on March 20, 1973.

But after 1986, we all know what happened.  The Cory Aquino government handed over Meralco to the Lopezes as if like taking a candy from a baby.  The Lopezes did not shell out a single centavo to reclaim Meralco, all because of a lie perpetrated by the Lopezes that Meralco was forcibly taken from them by the martial law regime.

These family has a knack of getting free stuff. If there is such a thing as a free lunch, the Lopezes are good at it.  When is it that whenever the Senate investigates the behest loans of beleaguered state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines, senators would quickly make the classic pivot when questions centered on the behest loans of the sinking Lopez companies like BayanTel and SkyCable?  That is P1.6B worth of bad loans was written off by DBP without any explanation!  This family must have an endless supply of “Get Out of Jail Free” Monopoly cards!

This probably is the genetic makeup of one Regina Paz L. Lopez. For instance, in 2012 alone, Gina was under fire when indigenous tribes from Sabsaban Falls in Barangay  Aribungos, Palawan protested her family’s plans to construct a tourism park by forcibly taking ancestral lands and cutting trees to pave way for the project. Yes you read it right, cutting trees!

The Lopez response then is somewhat familiar today, ‘she wanted to save the area from the ravages of mining companies by converting it into a biodiversity school’ aka ecotourism spot.

Early the same year, ABS-CBN Foundation executive director Gina Lopez led environment groups in asking Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to look into the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) mining-related decisions, which led to the destruction of Palawan’s forests and watersheds.

Then House of Representatives Vice Chair of the Committee on Natural Resources Teddy Brawner-Baguilat said the right words that Lopez should have been more consistent in her advocacy that, “there should be no double standard here.”
How is it that when Ms. Gina Lopez cancels ECCs left and right, suddenly, like a thief in the night, the DENR issues an Environment Compliance Certificate to the Green Core Geothermal, Inc.’s Tongonan Geothermal Power Project in Barangay Lim-ao, Kananga, Leyte?  Green Core is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Lopez family’s Energy Development Corporation.

Is Gina Lopez really the crusader for the poor and the environment or just fulfilling what is being dictated to her by her genetic programming and honouring her family tradition?  That by securing a family in political power in order to benefit the family interest?

The Philippines is once again being played under a great charade to feed the insatiable greed of an oligarchy.

References:

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/176968/i-have-papers-proving-meralco-was-legally-sold-gov%C2%92t-enrile

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/208231/tribals-to-gina-lopez-keep-off-our-land

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/231181/raps-pushed-vs-denr-exec-in-palawan

http://opinion.inquirer.net/16769/dbp-wrote-off-p1-6b-in-loans-to-lopez-group

An Anarchy of Families: State and Family in the Philippines by Alfred W. McCoy, copyright 1993