Senator Legarda Fumes as DOE Chief Skips Key Senate Hearing on Middle East Crisis
Senator Loren Legarda voiced strong disappointment after Energy Secretary Sharon Garin failed to attend the inaugural session of the Senate ad hoc committee examining the government's strategy to address the potential fallout from the escalating Middle East conflict. The hearing, conducted by the PROTECT Committee (Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy) on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, highlighted the absence of the Department of Energy (DOE) chief, drawing sharp criticism from several senators.
Absence Noted and Questioned
During the proceedings, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan pointedly inquired, "Just for the record, may we know where Secretary Sharon Garin is?" PROTECT Committee Chairman Senator Sherwin Gatchalian explained that Garin was reportedly occupied with other commitments, preventing her participation. "She could have postponed her meetings. I think we will still be here later after her Malacañang meeting. It would be better if she were present," Gatchalian remarked, underscoring the hearing's significance.
Legarda, visibly irked, contrasted Garin's absence with the attendance of other officials, such as Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro. "If the SFA is here, why aren't the others? Are you too busy? Isn't this the most important matter?" she demanded. "Why should the energy secretary be exempted from this?" The senator further chastised the DOE, noting, "When you request your budgets, even overnight, you are here. But for a crisis action plan, you have many excuses. The Senate will not allow that."
Budget Dispute and Coordination Failures
In the same hearing, Legarda took issue with the explanation provided by DOE Undersecretary Alessandro Sales regarding a supplemental budget request for the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC). Sales attributed delays to the Senate being "on break," a claim Legarda vehemently rejected. "Excuse me, the Senate does not take a break without acting on executive requests," she asserted, citing the passage of legislation granting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. authority to adjust excise taxes on petroleum products as an example of prompt action.
"When we passed it, they said 'we will see...' What is this... is it needed or not? Then after we pass it, 'we will see'," Legarda retorted. She also criticized what she perceived as an unfair portrayal blaming the Senate for holdups in PNOC fund utilization. "That does not sound good. The Senate will not break if you said Congressional approval was needed for PNOC to use their funds," she stated.
Late Arrival and Lingering Issues
Secretary Garin eventually joined the hearing later, but her tardiness underscored a clear lack of coordination between the DOE and the Senate. Gatchalian emphasized that even during Senate breaks, special sessions could be convened to address urgent matters, including potential energy supply crises stemming from the Middle East turmoil. This incident has sparked concerns over governmental preparedness and inter-agency collaboration in the face of international instability.
