DAVAO CITY—(3rd UPDATE) Incoming President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday offered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) post to ABS-CBN’s Gina Lopez.
“I offered the position of the DENR to Miss Gina Lopez,” Duterte said in a video sent to reporters.
Lopez and Duterte met at the presidential guest house here at 5:23 pm. The incoming president made the announcement at 6:15 p.m.
Lopez said she was seriously considering the post but has yet to decide on it.
“I am honored with the trust given. I will seriously, seriously consider it,” she said.
“Whether I’m in DENR or not, I will give my 100% support to this very good man,” she added.
Lopez is chair of the ABS-CBN Foundation and is known for her anti-mining advocacies.
Duterte has earlier offered the DENR post to the Left, with the name of human rights advocate and Bayan Muna representative Carlos Zarate emerging as a possible appointee.
READ: Is Bayan Muna lawmaker Zarate the next DENR secretary?
It was also earlier reported that Duterte wanted to be the Environment secretary even for just a year.
READ: Duterte wants to be environment secretary
Lopez is the daughter of the late media tycoon Eugenio Lopez Jr. She was one of the vocal supporters of Duterte during the campaign period. She has been known as an active advocate for the environment. TVJ/IDL/CDG
Gina Lopez meets with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. SCREENGRAB FROM RTVM