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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lotilla vows to strengthen ties between Manila, Vatican City

Lotilla vows to strengthen ties between Manila, Vatican City

Published Mar 11, 2026 02:43 pm

At A Glance

  • Former environment secretary Raphael Perpetuo "Popo" Lotilla on Wednesday, March 11, vowed to help bolster the ties between Manila and the Vatican City.

Former environment secretary Raphael Perpetuo “Popo” Lotilla on Wednesday, March 11, vowed to help bolster the ties between Manila and the Vatican City.

This, after the Commission on Appointments (CA) approved Lotilla’s appointment as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Holy See, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Sovereign Order of Malta with a salary and emoluments of a chief of mission, Class I.

Prior to this, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson inquired as to whether Lotilla is Catholic during the CA’s Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing, to which the latter answered in the affirmative.

“Yes, Mr. Chairman, I am (Catholic) since birth,” Lotilla said.

“I commit myself, therefore, to pursue the Philippine national interest in substantive issues relating with our relations to the Holy See, and maintaining our relations with the Roman Catholic Church,” he further said.

Lotilla said the Vatican City shares common goals with the Philippine government particularly on the need to uphold international law and multilateral institutions, peaceful resolution of disputes and interfaith dialogues.

Before getting this post, Lotilla headed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for less than a year. 

The CA also approved the ad interim appointment of other Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials, namely, Christian Luna De Jesus, Chief of Mission, Class II; Anthony Achilles Larin Mandap, Chief of Mission, Class II and Judy Barbara Guiang Robianes, as Career Minister.

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Raphael Lotilla VATICAN Commission on Appointments (CA)
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