Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________
Introduced by 
APEC Party-List Representative Sergio C. Dagooc  
PhilRECA Party-List Representative Presley C. De Jesus 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The role of the Secretary of Energy is pivotal in shaping and implementing the 
policies and strategies that steer the Philippines’ energy landscape. In light of 
the current power crisis characterized by the continued red and yellow alerts 
over major grids, volatile spot market prices, and rotating brownouts, the 
country counts on the proactive and effective leadership within the Department 
of Energy (DOE). This legislation seeks to fortify such leadership by establishing 
requisite qualifications and such other criteria to ensure an impartial, expert 
perspective necessary in carrying out the department’s mandate. 
The bill amends Republic Act No. 7638, otherwise known as the Department of 
Energy Act of 1992 by specifying that candidates for the position of Secretary, 
Undersecretaries, and Assistant Secretaries must possess a combination of 
proven competence and experience spanning diverse fields relevant to energy 
governance. Further, the bill lays down a prohibition on the candidates and their 
relatives within the third civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from holding 
any interest in energy-related companies during the appointed official’s term. 
This requirement aims to eliminate conflicts of interest and ensure that the 
interest of the public remains paramount in the decision-making processes of 
the department. 
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Moreover, this measure seeks to impose a two-year period during which former 
DOE appointees are barred from accepting positions and engagements with 
energy industry players after termination of their service in the government. This 
provision serves to prevent the quick turnover of high-level personnel from the 
DOE to the private sector and maintain the agency’s integrity and independence 
at all times. 
REP. PRESLEY C. DE JESUS 
PhilRECA Party-list Representative 
REP. SERGIO C. DAGOOC 
APEC Party-list Representative 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City 
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
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Second Regular Session 
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House Bill No. _________ 
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Introduced by 
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APEC Party-List Representative Sergio C. Dagooc  
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PhilRECA Party-List Representative Presley C. De Jesus 
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AN ACT  
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AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7638, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ACT OF 1992 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
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Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 7638, otherwise known as the 
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“Department of Energy Act of 1992” is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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“SECTION 8. The Secretary. — The Secretary shall be 
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appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the 
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Commission on Appointments.  
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No DIRECTOR, officer, external auditor, accountant, or 
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legal counsel, CONSULTANT, OR ANY OTHER OFFICER of any 
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private company or enterprise primarily engaged in the energy 
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industry shall be eligible for appointment as Secretary within two 
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(2) years from his retirement, resignation, or separation therefrom.
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x x x x x 
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SECTION 2. Section 11 of Republic Act No. 7638, otherwise known as the 
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“Department of Energy Act of 1992” is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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“SECTION 11. Qualifications. — No person shall be 
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appointed Secretary, Undersecretary, or Assistant Secretary of the 
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Department unless he is a citizen and resident of the Philippines, 
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of good moral character, and of proven competence, WITH AT 
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LEAST TWO (2) YEARS OF ACTUAL WORK EXPERIENCE IN 
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THE ENERGY SECTOR, AND WITH AT LEAST FIVE (5) YEARS 
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OF ACTUAL AND DISTINGUISHED EXPERIENCE in any of the 
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following fields:  
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(a) energy or utility economics;  
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(b) public administration;  
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(c) physical or engineering sciences;  
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(d) management, COMMERCE OR FINANCE; or 
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(e) law.”  
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THE 
SECRETARY, 
UNDERSECRETARY, 
OR 
ASSISTANT 
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SECRETARY OR ANY OF THEIR RELATIVES WITHIN THE THIRD 
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CIVIL DEGREE OF CONSANGUINITY OR AFFINITY, WHETHER SUCH 
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PERSONAL RELATIONS ARE LEGITIMATE, COMMON LAW, OR 
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OTHERWISE, 
SHALL 
BE 
PROHIBITED 
FROM 
HOLDING 
ANY 
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INTEREST WHATSOEVER, EITHER AS INVESTOR, STOCKHOLDER, 
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OFFICER OR DIRECTOR, IN ANY COMPANY OR ENTITY ENGAGED IN 
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THE BUSINESS OF TRANSMITTING, GENERATING, SUPPLYING OR 
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DISTRIBUTING ANY FORM OF ENERGY. UPON THE ASSUMPTION OF 
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THEIR 
RESPECTIVE 
POSITIONS, 
THE 
SECRETARY, 
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UNDERSECRETARY, OR ASSISTANT SECRETARY AND THEIR 
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RESPECTIVE RELATIVES WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED DEGREE OF 
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PERSONAL RELATIONS SHALL DIVEST THEMSELVES OF ALL SAID 
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INTERESTS. 
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AFTER 
TERMINATING 
SERVICE 
WITH 
THE 
DOE, 
THE 
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SECRETARY, UNDERSECRETARY, AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY 
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WHO ARE APPOINTED TO THE DOE SHALL BE PROHIBITED FROM 
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ACCEPTING DIRECTORSHIP, EMPLOYMENT, CONSULTANCY, OR ANY 
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OTHER CONNECTION WITH ANY ENERGY INDUSTRY PARTICIPANT 
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FOR A PERIOD OF TWO (2) YEARS.” 
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SECTION 3. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
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orders, letters of instruction, administrative rules and regulations or parts 
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thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
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hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 4. Separability Clause – Should any part or provision of this Act 
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be held unconstitutional or invalid, all other provisions hereof which are not 
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affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 5. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
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following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers 
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of general circulation whichever is earlier. 
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Approved,
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