Raphael P.M. Lotilla is a distinguished public servant, legal scholar, and energy policy expert currently serving as the ad-interim Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic of the Philippines, having been appointed in June 2025 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Secretary Lotilla’s new role follows his two successful terms as Secretary of Energy—first under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from 2005 to 2007, and again under President Marcos Jr. from 2022 to 2025. During his time at the Department of Energy, Secretary Lotilla played a key role in shaping national energy policy, championing the development of renewable energy, and advancing the implementation of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), among others.

A consistent advocate of sustainable and inclusive development, Secretary Lotilla has served the government in various capacities throughout his distinguished career. He was President and CEO of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) in 2004 2005, and Deputy Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) from 1996 to 2004, where he served as Coordinator for Philippine Council for Sustainable Development. His leadership has been instrumental in aligning national development goals with global standards in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Secretary Lotilla is also a committed academic, having been a professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law since 1985. He served as Director of the Institute of International Legal Studies (1989–1996) and as the University’s Vice President for Public Affairs (1991–1996). He holds degrees in Psychology and History as well as a Bachelor of Laws from UP Diliman, and earned his Master of Laws from the University of Michigan Law School in 1987.

He has contributed significantly to international dialogues on clean energy and environmental governance, representing the Philippines in major global forums such as the WindEurope Conference in Copenhagen, the ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting, and the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting. He also served as the Regional Programme Director for the East Asian Seas project of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and concurrently served as Executive Director of PEMSEA from 2008 to 2012, overseeing sustainable coastal and marine development efforts in the region. Lastly, he has also provided strategic guidance in the private and non-profit sectors.

His expertise in law, energy, and public policy continues to make him a vital force in shaping the Philippines’ environmental and energy landscape.