In the absence of any evidence, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III saw no reason why the Commission on Appointments (CA) should investigate insinuations that “lobby money” was behind the rejection of Gina Lopez’ appointment as Environment Secretary. ADVERTISEMENTAsked what kind of evidence he needs to initiate the probe, Pimentel said: “Any evidence more credible than a ‘verbalized theory.’”It was President Rodrigo Duterte himself who said that “lobby money talks” in the CA’s rejection of Lopez. This is democracy and lobby money talks. Congress is controlled by the Senate President and the Speaker, the lower house and the upper house,” Duterte said a day after the CA rejected Lopez. READ: Duterte on Lopez rejection: Lobby money talksMagdalo Rep. Gary Alejano has immediately sought an investigation into the President’s claim.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 08, 2017 09:40 UTC