By Nitz Arancon Correspondent MISAMIS Oriental Vice Governor Jose Mari Pelaez expressed disbelief over the  Commission on Appointment’s rejection of Regina Lopez as secretary for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It can be recalled that the Sangguniang Panlala-wigan passed a resolution in support to Lopez’ advocacy for responsible mining. “It is in this note that I am saddened about the rejection of Sec. Lopez by the Commission on Appointments,” Pelaez said adding that what Lopez did was only to protect the environment and should have been confirmed as DENR secretary. “She only exercised political highlights of the destruction of the environment and the preservation of mountains and watersheds. This is to me is very important in this day and age where global warming and climate change is very noticeably affecting our lives and the way we live,” said Pelaez. Pelaez added that he can only hope the whoever will be appointed next would follow the advocacies of Lopez for the environment. “I hope that the next DENR secretary would put the Environment above the interest of businessmen and mining conglomerates,” he said.