Mystery man causes stir at DepEd office

Department of Education (DepEd) officials and employees were left both baffled and amused when a man walked into their central office the other day, claiming he was their new boss.

The Chinese-looking man,  sporting a dark blue suit and wearing thick eyeglasses, arrived at the DepEd complex in Quezon City on board a black Ford Lynx at about 4:55 p.m.

As the front gate guard stopped the vehicle for a routine security check, the occupant opened the window and introduced himself as lawyer Reynaldo Reynes. He told the guard he was reporting for work as the new education secretary.

The confused guard accompanied Reynes to the desk of receiving officer Myrna Corilla, who was also left baffled by the visitor’s claims.

She said she could not understand why no formal announcement was made on the appointment of a new secretary.

Employees started buzzing when the visitor entered the Office of the Secretary and declared that he was the newly appointed DepEd chief.

Zalve de Vera, the executive assistant, attended to Reynes and led him to the visitor’s lounge.

Later, DepEd officer-in-charge Undersecretary Fe Hidalgo came out of her office.

After the usual pleasantries, Hidalgo asked for Reynes’ appointment papers, but the man failed to show any.

Reynes then told Hidalgo, "You can check it with the National Bureau of Investigation."

Despite sensing that something was wrong with the man, Hidalgo kept her composure and assured Reynes that she would be willing to turn over the DepEd responsibilities to him as soon as he can show his formal appointment papers.

"You can come back here and if you have the documents that will prove that you have been appointed as the new secretary, then by all means the DepEd is yours," Hidalgo said.

Reynes agreed, assuring her that he would return and take over her post.

During their conversation, Hidalgo asked Reynes what he does at the moment.

"I’m the new secretary of education," Reynes said proudly, which almost made the DepEd undersecretary laugh.

Members of her staff tried hard to suppress their laughter.

Reynes left the office and drove off after an hour.

Before leaving, he talked to reporters and told them he was appointed because of his track record as well as his contacts.

He claimed that former Education Secretary Lourdes Quisumbing was an aunt. and that former Education Secretary Florencio Abad was a classmate.

However, upon verification, the Office of the Secretary staff said there has been no appointment for a new secretary of education made by Malacañang.

Abad likewise could not recall knowing a Reynaldo Reynes, the DepEd said.