(Eagle News)–The Palace on Monday, Aug. 19, mourned the death of former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, who succumbed to brain cancer at 65 years old.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace “deeply grieves the demise of one of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s most passionate Cabinet members whose environmental advocacy and legacy remains unparalleled to this day.”
He said Lopez had “fiercely fought powerful interests” in the mining sector, and in other industries which had a bad effect on the environment.
“She would be greatly missed,” Panelo said, as he condoled with her kin.
Lopez was appointed environment secretary by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016, but her appointment was rejected by the Commission on Appointments.
Some members of the CA had pointed out Lopez’s policy of closing down mining firms that violated environmental laws reportedly without due process.
Duterte had expressed dismay over the CA’s rejection, noting that lobby money had prevailed.
Some CA members, however, denied the allegation.
Lopez was replaced by Roy Cimatu.
