Lotilla takes oath as new Energy chief

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. administered the oath-taking of lawyer Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla as the new Energy Secretary in a ceremony held in Malacañang on Friday.

Earlier this month, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles disclosed that Marcos nominated Lotilla to lead the Department of Energy under his administration.

Angeles clarified his appointment would depend on the status of his employment as an independent director at Aboitiz Power and Enexor.

She cited Section 8 or Republic Act 7638 in explaining the matter, which provides that “No officer, external auditor, accountant, or legal counsel of any private company or enterprise primarily engaged in the energy industry shall be eligible for appointment as Secretary within two (2) years from his retirement, resignation, or separation therefrom.”

"Thus, while the matter is reviewed to determine whether an independent director is considered an officer of the company, Lotilla is considered a nominee," Angeles said.

Lotilla first served under the Cabinet of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as Energy Secretary from 2005 to 2007.

He was also the president of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation and a deputy director general of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

Lotilla is also a professor of law at the University of the Philippines where he earned his law degree. He obtained his Masters of Law from the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  -- BAP, GMA News