MANILA - Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez on Tuesday told the Commission on Appointments on Tuesday that there was "no spat" between Environment Secretary Gina Lopez and himself, despite their differences.

Dominguez opposed Lopez's claim that the environment department followed due process when it ordered 28 mines shuttered or suspended.

"There is no spat. As I said I am part of team, my part is to make sure the risk to government liabilities are managed and they are managed by making sure due process is being followed... We are just operating the mechanism," Dominguez said.

"It is imperative that we conduct this review. If not, we can be faced with lawsuits," he said.

Lopez has earlier asked President Rodrigo Duterte to suspend the review of the Mineral Industry Coordinating Committee, a Cabinet oversight body, citing lack of authority.