Know Why These Two Pro-Marcos Senators Voted Against Gina Lopez

Gina Lopez may not be comfortable around the Marcos due to family feuds in the past, it is certain that Bongbong Marcos is not the reason why Senators Gringo Honasan and Miguel Zubiri voted against her appointment as DENR Secretary being pro-Marcos senators.

Bongbong Marcos in 2015 sought for a “cohesive, long-term” mining policy to maximize the benefits of the vibrant industry. He was dismayed that the Aquino administration launched an “anti-mining stance” which is like what Gina Lopez is doing. This is probably why most Liberal Party senators voted for her.

Senator Gringo Honasan since 2012 is always concerned with mining restrictions. He said that; “those must be threshed out at the national level between the executive and the legislative branches. There are serious and important inputs from the local governments that must be considered. LGUs have to deal with problems like unemployment and environmental degradation. He stressed that there must be a balance between unemployment and the environment, therefore broader consultations with the involved sectors are crucial in imposing mining restrictions.

Gina Lopez said that she’s disappointed with Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri knowing that he’s an environmentalist. It is remembered that the senator proposed in 2009 the construction of a 40-foot mega-floodway in Parañaque – to allow floodwaters to drain into the Manila Bay and prevent widespread flooding. He wanted to have another look into the Marcos-era mega-spillway plan as designed since the term of former President Ferdinand Marcos. Instead of holding miners in the neck, Zubiri is obviously into strategic planning.

The frustration of Lopez is understandable – and she can only blame the big mining businesses that she threatened in her eight months as DENR Secretary. It is, however, worthy to take a look at how the government can support the mining industry to thrive without endangering the environment – and this is what Marcos, Honasan, and Zubiri are advocating for.