A slap on Cimatu and Dominguez

I’m back after hibernating for almost a month.

Don’t ask why I’ve been dormant for that long because you will only receive a blank stare.

It’s enough that we’re now back in each other’s arms, my dear readers.

President Digong indirectly castigated two of his Cabinet members for lifting the ban on open pit mining.

The two were Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, cochairs of the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC).

Before her appointment as environment department chief was rejected by the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA), Gina Lopez issued an administrative order banning open pit mining for copper, gold, silver and complex ores.

Just because Cimatu and Dominguez were not publicly chastised by the President doesn’t mean they should take his reprimand lightly.

They might be in for a big surprise if they exceed their limits.

* * *

Heard through the grapevine: Some miners want their money back after the President rejected the lifting of the ban.

Money — lots of it — reportedly changed hands for the ban to be lifted.

Oh, well, they probably failed to read the warning which was in fine print, if there was any: No return, no exchange.

Gina Lopez probably doubled up in laughter after the President rejected the lifting of the ban on open pit mining.

Lopez, an antimining advocate, was rejected by the CA because many of its members have interests in mining or are hacks of mining companies.

Cimatu, a retired military general, apparently can’t fit into Gina’s shoes.

If Cimatu has any delicadeza, he will ask for another assignment and let the President appoint a worthy successor to Gina.

* * *

Gina Lopez is this year’s Seacology awardee.

Seacology is a nonprofit charitable organization based in Berkeley, California, that works to preserve island ecosystems and cultures around the world.

Its primarily focuses on projects wherein villagers sign contracts under which they agree to help protect either terrestrial or marine habitat, like corals and island fauna.

The awarding ceremonies will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 4 at Makati Shangri-La hotel.

* * *

Retired police general Sid Lapeña, appointed recently to replace disgraced Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, might get himself into trouble if he doesn’t do something about the relative he brought with him to the Bureau of Customs.

According to the reports, Noel Prudente, designated chief of the management and information systems and technology group, allegedly collects “tong” from importers (read smugglers) using his uncle Sid’s name.

When I informed Lapeña about the reports, he promised to investigate and kick out his nephew should they turn out to be true.

Lapeña should be wary of the saying that nothing can destroy iron but its own rust.