PBBM retools cabinet; taps Cuna to steer DENR, Lotilla envoy to Holy See

A cabinet reshuffle shifted the leadership of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Feb. 27, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. designating Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna as acting secretary and tapping secretary Raphael Lotilla as the Philippines’ ambassador to the Holy See.

The said leadership change was disclosed during a Presidential Communications Office press briefing by Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, who said the transition is underway to ensure the continued operations of the DENR.

Castro clarified that Lotilla did not step down from his post, but was appointed to head the Philippine embassy to the Holy See.

“He [Castro] was not asked to resign….President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. designated Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna as the acting secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,” she said.

“Secretary Raphael Lotilla, meanwhile, was designated by the President as Philippine ambassador to the Holy See,” the palace press head added.

Malacañang also detailed that Lotilla had indicated a preference for a lighter assignment, which led to his new designation.

“According to what we have heard, what Secretary Lotilla said was he preferred a lighter assignment. So that’s the information given to us,” Castro clarified.

Cuna’s career in the DENR began in 2008 when he served as a provincial environment and natural resources officer until 2010. He was appointed DENR director from 2010 to 2015, and in 2017 became assistant secretary and later undersecretary in the same year. 

He also served as a law professor at the Arellano Law Foundation and as Director IV and Legal Officer of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office under the Office of the President from 1998 to 2001.

Lotilla joined the Marcos Cabinet as the President’s first Department of Energy secretary. After Cabinet officials were asked to tender courtesy resignations in May 2025, he was designated as DENR chief, replacing Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga. 

The Palace said the process of submitting acting secretaries for confirmation is continuing.