President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants former Department of Energy (DOE) Sec. Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla to return to the agency that he headed from 2005 to 2007.
Press Sec. Trixie Cruz Angeles confirmed on Monday, July 11, that Lotilla, a member of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Cabinet, is the 'personal choice' of the current Chief Executive to head the DOE.
However, Malacañang still needs to clarify the employment status of Lotilla, who currently works as an independent director of electric services company AboitizPower and Enexor, a company involved in oil and gas exploration and production.
Angeles cited Section 8 of Republic Act 7638, also known as the Department of Energy Act, that states that '(n)o 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'.
"The designation of Atty. Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla, is right now a nomination, pending clarification of his employment status," Angeles said in a statement.
"Thus while the matter is reviewed to determine whether an independent director is considered an officer of the company, Lotilla is considered a nominee," she added.
Lotilla also previously served as Deputy Director-General of the National Economic Development Authority, and President of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation
