New DENR Chief Juan Miguel Cuna. Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Malacañang announced on Friday that Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna had taken over as acting secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), while Secretary Raphael Lotilla had been designated as the Philippines’ ambassador to the Holy See.
The announcement was made during a briefing by the Presidential Communications Office, where Palace officials addressed questions on the leadership change at the environment department.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Lotilla was not removed from office and was instead appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to head the Philippine embassy to the Holy See.
Cuna assumed the role of acting secretary to ensure continuity at the DENR, with Malacañang noting that a transition process was already in place to keep agency operations running without disruption.
Officials outlined that Cuna had built a long career within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, beginning as a provincial environment and natural resources officer in 2008 before serving as director, assistant secretary, and later undersecretary.
Beyond his work in the department, Cuna had also served in legal and academic roles, including work with the Office of the President and as a law professor, experiences Malacañang said contributed to his appointment.
Castro added that Lotilla’s reassignment followed his expressed preference for a less demanding post, prompting the President to consider him for a diplomatic role abroad.
Lotilla had earlier joined the Marcos administration as the first energy secretary and was later appointed DENR chief in 2025, following a Cabinet reshuffle that required senior officials to submit courtesy resignations.
