Just a few days after declaring he would give members of the left four Cabinet posts under his administration. incoming President Rodrigo Duterte has changed his mind about giving the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to anti-mining advocates.
In a report by the Philippine News Agency, Duterte said he was moved to remove the DENR from his offer to the CPP “after going through all some papers.”
Duterte didn’t give any specific reason for his change of heart except to say there were serious issues in the agency that he “might need someone to strongly oversee.”
Duterte claimed that as early 24 May 2016, he has already explained to Fidel Agcaoili, the emissary of the Communist Party of the Philippines – National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF), why he didn’t feel like giving the DENR to his group led by Joma Sison.
Earlier, Duterte took back the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which he gave to the CPP-NDF to his peace negotiator, Silvestre Bello III.
Duterte told Agcaoili that he has reserved for the CPP-NDF the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Agcaoili gave the NDF nominees to Duterte when they met Tuesday night which the mayor said contained less than ten names from University of the Philippines.
“It is an impressive list,” said Duterte.
“If you are identified with the left – that is not an issue with me. Once upon a time I was a left of center. Hopefully when I step down wala na yung (there is no more) left…right…Moro…lumad…Christian. I want to build a strong nation for the next generation,” Duterte said.
, “Mainit ako diyan kasi talagang sinira nila ang ating lupa,” said. The PNA reported that Duterte found itunacceptable it “that they (oligarchs) partnered with multinational mining firms and enrich themselves leaving nothing for the poor Filipinos but the spoils of their operations.”
