Energy Secretary Sharon Garin is now ensnared in legal scrutiny after civil-society groups lodged both administrative and criminal complaints against her with the Office of the Ombudsman. The allegations center on her decision in July 2025 to green-light the 1,200-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Atimonan, Quezon—despite a standing moratorium on new coal projects.
The complaints include charges of graft under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and acts prejudicial to the public interest.
Specifically, the groups contend that the coal plant project was improperly exempted from the moratorium and that the required Health Impact Assessment clearance was not obtained, thereby raising environmental, health and regulatory concerns.
Secretary Garin has yet to issue a full public statement in response to the complaints, but the filing signals a formal investigation process under the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction—meaning the outcome could lead to administrative sanctions, criminal charges or both depending on the findings.