OPISYAL nang uupo bilang Kalihim ng Department of Energy (DOE) si Atty. Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla.

Ito’y matapos manumpa si Lotilla bilang bagong Energy Secretary sa harap ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa Malakanyang.

Nauna rito, inanunsyo ni Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles na si Lotilla ang napipisil ni Pangulong Marcos para pamunuan ang Department of Energy sa ilalim ng administrasyong Marcos.

Nagbigay linaw naman si Cruz-Angeles na ang appointment ni Lotilla ay depende sa status ng kanyang employment bilang independent director sa Aboitiz Power at Enexor.

Tinukoy nito ang Section 8 o Republic Act 7638 sa kanyang naging paliwanag, nagsasaad ito na “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,” ayon kay Cruz-Angeles.

Samantala, si Lotilla ay nagsilbi bilang Energy secretary mula 2005 hanggang 2007, sa ilalim ni dating Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Dati ring naupo bilang deputy director general ng National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), at nagtuturo ng abogasya sa University of the Philippines (UP).

Nagtapos si Lotilla ng Masters of Laws sa University of Michigan law School sa Ann Arbor, Michigan. (CHRISTIAN DALE)