President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has designated Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna as acting secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) following the appointment of Secretary Raphael Lotilla as Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See.

Speaking to reporters, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that Lotilla neither resigned nor was asked to submit his resignation.

Lotilla served as Energy secretary from 2022 until he was reassigned as head of the DENR in June 2025.

On Jan. 30, Malacañang announced it is reviewing Lotilla’s appointment records to ensure all requirements are in order.

Lotilla’s appointment was deemed bypassed three times, after the Commission on Appointments failed to act on his nomination before Congress adjourned on Dec. 30, 2025.

Castro said the leadership change came after Lotilla requested a “lighter assignment.”

“Upang masiguro ang tuluy-tuloy na operasyon sa DENR, nagpapatuloy ang matiwasay na transisyon sa pagitan ni Secretary Lotilla at Cuna (To ensure the continued operations of the DENR, a smooth transition between Secretary Lotilla and Cuna is underway),” she said.

Before his appointment as acting DENR secretary, Cuna began his service in the DENR in 2008 as Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, a post he held until 2010.

He served as DENR director from 2010 to 2015, and was appointed assistant secretary in 2017 and later promoted to undersecretary in the same year.

Cuna was also a law professor at the Arellano Law Foundation and served as director for Legal Officer at the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office from 1998 to 2001. (PNA)