Sen. Bam Aquino described the Commission on Appointment’s secret voting system as “problematic” in the confirmation of Gina Lopez, who was rejected as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“Aside from the issue of accountability, there were also issues of honesty with regard to some of the members’ public pronouncements on their vote,” said Sen. Bam, a CA member for the minority together with Sens. Franklin Drilon and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

The senator said he will raise the issue of secret voting to the CA minority bloc to determine if they will push to modify it.

Earlier, Liberal Party senators — including Aquino, Drilon, Pangilinan and Sen. Ralph Recto — manifested that they voted to approve Lopez’s appointment.

“Iyong LP senators nag-decide kami na suportahan si Sec. Lopez, kasama po sina Sens. Drilon, Recto at Pangilinan.  Unfortunately, natalo po kami sa boto at marami pong nag-decide na i-reject po siya,” Sen. Bam said in an earlier interview.

Sen. Bam expressed surprise over the result of the voting, saying it was unusual that members of the opposition supported the appointment of a presidential appointee.

The senator emphasized that the opposition is willing to support any presidential appointee as long as he or she can help the people and the country.