President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Raphael 'Popo' Lotilla as the Philippines' new ambassador to the Holy See, according to Malacañang. Lotilla did not resign but requested a lighter assignment, with Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna serving as acting DENR secretary.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro announced on February 27 that Raphael 'Popo' Lotilla is moving from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to become the Philippines' ambassador to the Holy See, the central governing body of the Catholic Church in Vatican City, Rome, Italy.
Lotilla, a lawyer, was first appointed as energy secretary in July 2022 shortly after Marcos took office. In May 2025, he was transferred to the DENR as part of a cabinet revamp, replacing former DENR Secretary Maria Yulo-Loyzaga. He previously served as energy chief from 2005 to 2007 under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"He did not resign nor was he made to resign," Castro said. She explained that Lotilla requested a 'lighter assignment' because he wanted a less demanding role, and suggested he may wish to 'pray more often' in his new position.
Juan Miguel Cuna, who has been with the DENR since 2008, will serve as acting secretary. He started as a provincial environment and natural resources officer, rising through the ranks to undersecretary for field operations in Luzon and Visayas. In 2010, he became director, and in 2017, acting secretary before being appointed undersecretary. Cuna also taught law at Arellano Law Foundation and worked at the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office from 1998 to 2001 during the Joseph Estrada administration.
In 2018, Cuna was suspended for three months by the Ombudsman over the controversial 2013 shipment of trash-filled container vans from Canada, when he headed the Environmental Management Bureau.
Malacañang assured that DENR operations will continue uninterrupted during the transition from Lotilla to Cuna. Lotilla has yet to issue a statement on the change.
