IF they had their way the country’s biggest business organizations would rather pick an apolitical Secretary to call shots for the Department of Energy (DOE) According to Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) president Sergio Ortiz-Luis, the energy portfolio would play a crucial role in the government effort to get the country out of the economic slumber triggered by the economic slump amid the pandemic and that of the economic crisis in view of the war between two oil-producing countries – Ukraine and Russia.
Without naming names, Ortiz-Luis said that the incoming President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should seriously consider an Energy Secretary from within the DOE itself, if only to hasten the process of resolving the problems besetting the country – soaring prices basic commodities as an after effect of the oil crisis, high cost of electricity and the intermittent power shortage.
Earlier reports hinted on former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s son Mikee setting sight on the top Energy post as a bargaining chip in lieu of the support of the elder Arroyo’s political party, the Lakas-CMD.
“The most ideal candidate should be apolitical. In fact, he (Marcos) need not go far. There is one Energy Undersecretary who best fits the tough job,” said Ortiz-Luiz, even as he quelled suspicion of any personal ties with “their ideal pick.”
“I don’t know him personally. But he’s good at what he’s doing at the department,” added Ortiz-Luis, who is also the chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
A check at the DOE website showed that there are actually six “undersecretaries” – Jesus Posadas, Roberto Uy, Donato Marcos, Felix Fuentabella, Benito Ranque and Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez.
However, of the six “undersecretaries,” Ranque, who has been at the forefront of the agency whenever there’s a distress call in the energy sector, seemed to be the person closest to the Ortiz-Luis’ ideal preference.
“What the DOE need is an expert who can deliver results,” the ECOP president quipped.
