Editor’s note: This article was first posted prior to Gina Lopez’s rejection as DENR secretary. This has been updated following the Commission on Appointment’s vote turning down her ad interim appointment.
MANILA, Philippines – Hours before the Commission on Appointments on Wednesday rejected her appointment as environment secretary, President Duterte’s first choice for DENR chief, Regina “Gina” Paz Lopez, issued a message to her supporters via Facebook video.
Acknowledging the uncertainty of her permanent appointment, Lopez said even before her rejection: “At the end of the day, what’s gonna happen in the material world, one doesn’t really have control.”
“Try your best, you can be your best but at the end of the day, it’s not in your control at all and that’s the way life is,” she said.
“And we will keep on trying our best. But at the end of the day, one actually needs to let go.”
“And the most important thing I have found to keep my sanity, which I wanna share with you is to keep the flame alive. The flame of light, the flame of love. Yeah, just keep it alive so you’re always positive.”
“Whatever happens, okay lang.”
