New PCO, Energy chiefs take oath of office

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. swore in new members of his Cabinet on Monday, 14 July 2025.

Former journalist-turned-PR executive Dave Gomez officially took his oath of office before Marcos just days after being named head of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). He had earlier taken his oath before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

Marcos said Gomez’s experience in media and public service would help enhance the government’s communication efforts.

“I congratulate Acting PCO Secretary Dave Gomez. With his years of experience in the media and public service, I know he will be able to convey our government's message clearly and honestly to every Filipino,” the President said.

Gomez made his first engagement with Palace media on Friday, where he outlined his core principle for the PCO’s messaging strategy: the “3Ps Minus One” — Programs, Policies, minus Politics.

He replaces veteran broadcast journalist Jay Ruiz, who was appointed to the Board of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan. Gomez is the fifth person to hold the post.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has officially assumed office, replacing Raphael Lotilla, who has been reassigned to head the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Garin had served as officer-in-charge of the Department of Energy (DoE) in the interim.

Marcos said Garin’s background as both legislator and DoE official makes her well-suited to lead the department.

“Secretary Sharon Garin's experience in lawmaking and shaping energy policy will help us in our goal of delivering more reliable, affordable, and clean energy to every Filipino family under the Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines),” Marcos said.

Garin previously served as the party-list representative of Ang Asosasyon Sang Mangunguma Nga Bisaya-Owa Mangunguma (AAMBIS-Owa) from 2010 to 2022, before joining the Marcos administration as a DoE official.