Manila, Philippines – Following last week’s reshuffle in the National Bureau of Investigation’s leadership, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will now be welcoming its new chief.
In a Friday press briefing, Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro announced re-appointment in DENR leadership.
Castro said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna as the new acting secretary of DENR, replacing Secretary Raphael Lotilla.
Before this appointment, Cuna first served on DENR in 2008 as the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer—a position he held until 2010.
He then became DENR director from 2010-2015, before his appointment as assistant secretary in 2017. In the same year, he was promoted as an undersecretary.
Before his government stint, Cuna was a law professor and served as director for legal officer in the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office from 1998 to 2001.
Following the announcement, Castro clarified that the change in leadership is not due to Lotilla’s resignation, rather because of his re-appointment.
Castro said that Lotilla was appointed as the Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See-the governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City.
When asked about the reason of the re-appointment in Holy See, Castro said:
She added that she has no information on whether this has something to do with his previous appointment bypassed by the Commission on Appointments.
Lotilla became DENR secretary in June 2025 but his appointment was bypassed three times after CA failed to act on his nomination before the Congress adjourned in December 2025.
Before his DENR stint, Lotilla served as the Energy secretary since 2022—where he was tied on a criminal complaint before the ombudsman due to alleged violation of the coal moratorium in favor of a power firm where he was a former board member.
Until January 30, Malacañang was still reviewing Lotilla’s appointment to assure requirement compliance.