Pinanumpa na ni Pangulong Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. nitong Biyernes si House Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto bilang bagong kalihim ng Department of Finance, kapalit ni Benjamin Diokno.
Ginanap sa Malacañang ang panunumpa ni Recto na sinaksihan ng kaniyang asawa na si Vilma Santos-Recto.
Bukod kay Recto, 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 (OSAPIEA).
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," ani Villar sa pahayag.
Suportado rin ni Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman ang pagkakahirang kay Recto 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 sa pahayag.
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,” ani Zubiri.
“More than most, he understands how to bridge the gap between the abstractions of mathematics and the very concrete realities that we face as a nation. So I have no doubt that he will be a good Finance Secretary, who will continue to push the country along on the road to greater economic prosperity,” dagdag niya.
Suportado rin nina Sens. Francis Escudero, Sherwin Gatchalian, at Sonny Angara, ang pagkakapili ni Marcos kay Recto.
“His knowledge of the political and fiscal structures of the country will serve us well in the future,” sabi ni Angara, chairman ngayon ng Senate Finance committee.
Nagpahayag din ng suporta ang mga lider ng business at banking community kay Recto, kabilang si Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Enunina Mangio.
"Senator Recto is perfectly suited for the job. He has the experience, expertise, and political backing that are critical if he is to oversee the strengthening of the country's economic and fiscal positions. He has led the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and authored and sponsored landmark measures that have helped the country weather economic crises, even [though] some were unpopular," ayon kay Mangio, patungkol sa Expanded Value-Added Tax, the Rice Tariffication Law, Rent Control Act, at iba pa.
Sinabi naman ng Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) president na si Jose Teodoro Limcaoco, na taglay ni Recto ang mga kasanayan at karanasan para isulong ang pag-unlad ng ekonomiya ng bansa.
“While the Philippine economy continues to grow due to its strong fundamentals, it is currently facing local and global economic headwinds such as inflation. The country needs an experienced economist who can navigate the ongoing challenges of this operating environment, and Secretary Recto is an ideal fit for this job,” saad niya. — FRJ, GMA Integrated News
