'Miracle worker' off to Italy
Support up on Lopez appointment as NBI alerted of P2M extort try

By Florence F. Hibionada

Support began to mount for former Representative and Guimaras Governor Emily Relucio-Lopez following her appointment as Ambassador to Italy. Beset with a multi-million extortion try and weeks of harassment from unknown suspects, Lopez who earned the distinction as the "miracle worker" on her Guimaras stint came out to both address the matter and welcome the endorsements.

Such, as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) continue to work on identifying the extortionists who according to Lopez has since issued a stern warning if she refuse to heed the P2 million demand. Sources said the harassments appear to be part of a grand design aimed at blocking Lopez' approval awaited before the Commission on Appointments (CA).

In an interview, the former lady Governor told The News Today (TNT) she will not bow down to these threats while saying that they have since been prepared to face up to her unidentified 'enemies.' Her appointment, she added, comes with a personal assurance that she will work all-out to best serve the over 200,000 Overseas Filipinos Workers (OFWs) in Italy and bring home much-needed foreign grants.

Statements that got an ‘all thumbs-up' from Guimaras Lone District Representative Edgar Espinosa, longtime Lopez associate in Guimaras politics.

With decades of strengthened alliance, Representative Espinosa came out to endorse the former Governor for the post. The duo once paired off in running Guimaras, then included in the country's list of poorest provinces in an administration marked with millions in investments and aids poured in.

“She is best qualified for the job and I know she will restore pride and honor to our many Overseas Filipino Workers in Italy. I am also most confident of the same pride and honor that she will bring to the country in general and back home in Guimaras in particular,” Espinosa said. “Our Inday Emily is deserving of this appointment because again, I know for one how qualified she is for it.”

The Lopez-Espinosa administration in said island-province was credited with numerous awards and citations unprecedented in the history of provinces tagged as poorest in the country.

“It was all clear hard work, selfless dedication and commitment that she has taught us all and showed in the years we both worked in Guimaras. How can we go wrong then with her as our Ambassador?,” Representative Espinosa continued.

Same sentiments echoed by Rev. Father Noe Lozada, parish priest of the St. Michael the Archangel of San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras. Reached for his comments, Fr. Lozada beamed with pride in sharing his joys over the Lopez appointment.

“I have been here in Guimaras for over 20 years now and I say there is no one like her,” he began. “Congresswoman Emily put Guimaras in the map. She brought us out for the world to see. She is selfless and very good with the people from all walks of life. I am so happy to hear of this new responsibility for her. She has my all-out support and I have no doubts she is going to be an asset for the government. A very devoted lady whose dedication won the hearts of many in Guimaras and elsewhere. She will do a great job as Ambassador to Italy. I know that.”