Sharon Garin Named New Energy Secretary

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

After more than a month as officer-in-charge, Sharon Garin has been formally appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos as secretary of the Department of Energy.

Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed Garin’s appointment during a media briefing on Thursday, July 10.

Castro said the president cited Garin’s “strong background in energy policy and legislation,” which supports the government’s goal of providing accessible, reliable and sustainable energy for Filipinos.

Garin, a native of Guimbal, Iloilo, replaces Raphael Lotilla of Antique, who has been appointed secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

She previously served as an undersecretary in the DOE from 2022 to 2025, overseeing the Financial Services Bureau, Legal Services Bureau and the Nuclear Energy Program Interagency Committee.

She also acted as the department’s legislative liaison officer.

Garin was named DOE officer-in-charge in late May 2025.

Before joining the department, she was a multi-term representative of the AAMBIS-Owa party list from 2010 to 2022.

She also served as deputy speaker and chair of the House Committee on Economic Affairs.

Garin is a lawyer and certified public accountant.

She is the sister of former Iloilo Vice Gov. and now Guimbal Vice Mayor Christine Garin, Miagao Mayor Richard Garin and Guimbal Vice Mayor Jennifer Garin-Colada.

She is also the sister-in-law of former Health Secretary and now Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin.

Garin has long advocated for the development of nuclear energy in the Philippines.

In September 2024, she led the launch of the government’s nuclear roadmap, which targets operational nuclear power plants by 2032 with an initial capacity of 1,200 megawatts, scaling up to 4,800 megawatts by 2050.

She also backs the creation of an independent nuclear regulatory authority to ensure safety and security in nuclear energy use.

She supports legislation such as the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority bill.