Beleaguered Energy Secretary Angelo T. Reyes has finally hinted to media of his plans to step down from the Department of Energy (DoE), reportedly to pursue his party-list Congressional bid under 1-UTAK.

The energy chief has sent invitation to the energy beat for his “last get-together” with the media on March 19-20 through an out-of-town coverage in Quezon province.

A correspondence from the Department of Energy (DoE) indicated that Reyes will cap his activities as energy chief at the inauguration of solar electrification project benefitting 3,400 households in Polillo island, Quezon with TeaM Energy Philippines as project partner.

“The Secretary will host his last media get-together before he leaves the Department of Energy,” the letter noted.

As of Monday, talks have already been circulating in the industry about his resignation plan on March 23 to run for party list post.

Several names have surfaced as his probable replacements – the likes of Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) president Melinda L. Ocampo or Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) president Jose C. Ibazeta. But as the way things are, Malacañang may surprise again the energy sector with its own choice. Reyes will always be remembered for having “checkered stint” at the DoE, having familiarized implausible statements like “don’t panic” during an oil supply shortage problem; and “blame God” on a power crisis condition.

It is quite lamentable though that he is leaving a legacy of power crisis; and he is stepping down at the time that the whole nation is perennially plunged into rotating brownouts.

There have been some milestones achieved during his almost three-year stay at the department, such as the passage of the Renewable Energy Act and the privatization of the National Power Corporation (NPC) assets.

But with the lingering power outages, all the gains in the past two years are now being eclipsed by concerns of brownouts and skyrocketing electricity rates.

The challenge then for the next energy secretary will be immense on the fixing-front, hence, the advice for the next President is to appoint someone who has the knowledge and capability to lead a department as critical as energy.