New Philippine Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna takes oath of office

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. administered the oath of office to Juan Miguel Cuna as acting secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday during a ceremony in Malacañan Palace.

Cuna takes the helm of the agency following the appointment of former environment secretary Raphael Lotilla as the Philippine ambassador to the Holy See.

Prior to his appointment, Cuna served as DENR undersecretary from July 2017 until February 2026. He also previously held the post of assistant secretary at the department from 2008 to 2017.

Before returning to national government service, Cuna served as city councilor of Manila’s 5th District from 2001 to 2007.

He also worked as director at the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office under the Office of the President from 1998 to 2001.

Earlier in his career, Cuna was a Local Legislative Staff Officer V at the Manila City Council in 1995.

Aside from his government work, Cuna also served as a law professor at the Arellano Law Foundation.

He earned a Master’s degree in Public Management from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in the United States.

Cuna completed his Bachelor of Laws at the Ateneo Law School and obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies from the University of the Philippines Manila.