Nanumpa na sa harap ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. si House Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto bilang bagong kalihim ng Department of Finance na kapalit ni Benjamin Diokno nitong Biyernes.
Sa Palasyo ginanap ang panunumpa ni Recto na sinaksihan ng kaniyang asawa na si Vilma Santos-Recto at bukod sa kanya, nanumpa rin kay Marcos si Frederick Go, bilang kalihim ng bagong tanggapan na Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs.
Binati naman ni dating Senate President Manny Villar si Recto sa bago nitong posisyon na nakasabay niya sa Kongreso mula noong 1992, at naging kagrupo sa tinatawag na “Wednesday Group.”
“I have had a front row view of his financial acumen, his steadiness in the face of challenges, and his desire to bring about prosperity to Filipinos. Definitely the best man for the job,” saad ni Villar sa pahayag.
Samantala, suportado si Recto ni Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman bilang bagong Finance chief na tinawag niyang magaling na ekonomista at mahusay magtrabaho.
“Sen. Recto’s track record as a legislator is remarkable, having chaired several key committees in the Senate, including on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises and on Science and Technology, among others. His comprehensive understanding of the intricate details of economic and financial matters is undoubtedly an asset as we navigate the complex challenges facing our nation,” sabi ni Hataman.
Nauna nang nagbigay ng suporta kay Recto si Senate President Miguel Zubiri na inilarawan niyang “resident numbers genius” ng Senado.
“This was not just for his mathematical ability, but more importantly for his ability to immediately see the big picture implications of these numbers,” sabi ni Zubiri.
