Malacañang on Friday announced that Raphael Lotilla has been appointed as the Philippines’ ambassador to the Holy See following three consecutive bypassed confirmations by the Commission on Appointments (CA) as Environment secretary.

The Holy See is the central governing body of the Roman Catholic Church and the jurisdiction of the Pope, operating as a sovereign entity under international law distinct from Vatican City.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Lotilla was not forced to resign by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Itinalaga ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. bilang acting secretary ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources si Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna. Si Secretary Raphael Lotilla naman ay itinatalaga ng Pangulo bilang ambassador ng Pilipinas to the Holy See,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.

Castro added that Lotilla requested a lighter assignment.

“Lotilla did not resign or was forced to resign. From what I heard, he requested a lighter assignment. And as Ambassador to the Holy See, maybe he will always pray,” she quipped.

Juan Miguel Cuna, now acting secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is a career official who previously served as provincial environment and natural resources officer from 2008 to 2010. He later became DENR director from 2010 to 2015 and was appointed assistant secretary and undersecretary in 2017.

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

Castro said the process of submitting the names of acting secretaries for confirmation remains ongoing.

Lotilla served as Energy secretary from 2022 until he was reassigned to the DENR in June 2025. On January 30, Malacañang said it was reviewing his appointment records to ensure compliance with requirements.

During his stint as Energy secretary, Lotilla faced a criminal complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged violations of the coal moratorium in favor of a power firm where he had previously served as a board member.