Cuna next DENR chief; Lotilla envoy to Vatican
Malacañang on Friday named Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna as acting secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), while Secretary Raphael Lotilla was designated as the country’s ambassador to the Holy See.
The DENR, in a statement, welcomed Cuna’s appointment, noting his “extensive experience” with the agency especially in public administration. It also acknowledged the “long-standing commitment to public service” of Lotilla, who will be leaving his post after less than a year in the agency.
Palace press officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro, at a press briefing, clarified that Lotilla was not fired or asked to resign.
‘Environmental stewardship’
“He was not asked to resign,” Castro said when asked about Lotilla’s status. “According to what we have heard, Secretary Lotilla said he prefers a lighter assignment. That’s the only information given to us.”
Lotilla first joined President Marcos’ Cabinet as energy secretary in July 2022. In May 2025, the President asked his Cabinet members to tender courtesy resignations. He then designated Lotilla as DENR head, replacing former Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.
According to Castro, Cuna’s career with the DENR started in 2008, when he was a provincial environment and natural resources officer. He was named as DENR director in 2010, and then as assistant secretary and undersecretary in 2017.
Smooth transition
She added that Cuna also served as a law professor at the Arellano Law Foundation. He was also a director and legal officer of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office under the Office of the President from 1998 to 2001.
Castro said that a smooth transition is being facilitated to ensure continuous operations at the DENR.
“We are confident that Secretary Cuna will provide strong leadership and continue the DENR’s work with professionalism, integrity and a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship,” the DENR said in its statement.
“Under [Lotilla’s] leadership, the DENR continued to pursue its mandate of safeguarding the country’s environment and natural resources in alignment with national development priorities,” it added.
