Lawyer Raphael Lotilla remains a nominee to head the Department of Energy (DOE) pending clarification and submission of required documents on his employment status, Malacañang said.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles reiterated the status of Lotilla's designation as Energy chief after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. named him to handle the post.
"He is considered a nominee pending the clarification of his status and submission of required documents," Angeles said on Tuesday, July 12.
According to Angeles, Lotilla is the President's personal choice to head the DOE.
He is currently an independent director of Aboitiz Power, a holding company engaged in power distribution, generation, and retail electricity services, and Enexor, a publicly-listed company engaging in the business of oil and gas exploration and production, both domestically and internationally.
Angeles clarified on Monday, July 11, that Lotilla's nomination is being reviewed to determine whether an independent director is considered an officer of the company.
This as Section 8 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7638 or the Act Creating the Department of Energy states 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 years from his retirement, resignation, or separation” from that place.
Lotilla served as DOE chief from 2005 to 2007 under the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
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