2 Zamboanga govs oppose environment secretary’s confirmation

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Two provincial governors in the Zamboanga peninsula on Friday said they were determined to block the confirmation of Environment Secretary Ramon Paje.

Paje failed to get the nod of the Commission on Appointments on Wednesday.

Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio Cerilles, who once served as environment secretary, said his opposition to Paje’s confirmation was based “on the ground of incompetence.”

Cerilles said Paje had no integrity either because “he failed to act in good faith over our several complaints and calls for revocation of the Special Extraction of Ore Permit (SEOP) that caused tensions in Bayog town.”

“We are strongly opposed to Paje’s nomination,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone.

Cerilles said Paje knew that under existing laws “there is no such thing as SEOP that may be issued within the letter or spirit of the laws mentioned.”

“Despite Paje’s knowledge of the law, he tolerated the issuance of then Secretary Lito Atienza of an SEOP in favor of Lupa Pigegitawan Mining Co.,” Cerilles said.

He said Paje also showed he was incompetent to lead the agency when he “slept on the complaints” of Zamboanga del Sur officials over the tension in Bayog.

Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Rolando Yebes said he did not want Paje to continue leading the DENR because of his political gestures.

He said Paje had deputized Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy against small-scale mining operations in the province even if it has no basis in law.

“A mayor has no authority to arrest small sand and gravel operators. Only the governor has the authority to do so,” Yebes said.

He also accused Paje of allowing big-time illegal loggers in Zamboanga del Norte.

“Paje is good in politicking,” Yebes said.