Ralph Recto facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ralph Recto
Official portrait, 2022
33rd Secretary of Finance
Incumbent
Assumed office January 12, 2024
President	Bongbong Marcos
Preceded by	Benjamin Diokno
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives
In office July 27, 2022 – January 12, 2024 Serving with several others
Speaker	Martin Romualdez
Succeeded by	David Suarez
Member of the House of Representatives from Batangas
In office June 30, 2022 – January 12, 2024
Preceded by	Vilma Santos
Succeeded by	Vacant
Constituency	6th district
In office June 30, 1992 – June 30, 2001
Preceded by	Jose E. Calingasan
Succeeded by	Oscar Gozos
Constituency	4th district
Senate Minority Leader
In office July 25, 2016 – February 27, 2017
Preceded by	Juan Ponce Enrile
Succeeded by	Franklin Drilon
President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines
In office February 27, 2017 – June 30, 2022
Preceded by	Franklin Drilon
Succeeded by	Migz Zubiri (acting)
In office July 22, 2013 – June 30, 2016
Preceded by	Jinggoy Estrada
Succeeded by	Franklin Drilon
Senator of the Philippines
In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2022
In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2007
12th Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority Concurrently Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning
In office July 23, 2008 – August 16, 2009
President	Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Preceded by	Romulo Neri Augusto Santos (acting)
Succeeded by	Cayetano Paderanga Jr. Augusto Santos (acting)
First Gentleman of Batangas
In role June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2016
Governor	Vilma Santos
Preceded by	Edna Sanchez
Succeeded by	Regina Reyes Mandanas
Personal details
Born	Ralph Gonzalez Recto (1964-01-11) January 11, 1964 (age 61) Quezon City, Philippines
Political party	Nacionalista (2004–2007; 2018–present)
Other political affiliations	Liberal (2009–2018) Lakas–CMD (2001–2004; 2007–2009) LDP (1992–2001)
Spouse	Vilma Santos ​ (m. 1992)​
Children	Ryan Recto
Residences	Muntinlupa, Metro Manila Lipa City, Batangas
Alma mater	De La Salle University (BS)
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Bureaucrat Economist
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Ralph Gonzalez Recto was born on January 11, 1964. He is a well-known Filipino politician who currently serves as the 33rd Secretary of Finance. This means he helps manage the country's money and economy. He started this important job on January 12, 2024, under President Bongbong Marcos.

Before becoming the Finance Secretary, Mr. Recto was a representative for Batangas' 6th district. He also served as a House Deputy Speaker from 2022 to 2024.

Mr. Recto has also served three terms as a Senator. Senators are like elected leaders who make laws for the whole country. He was a Senator from 2001 to 2007 and again from 2010 to 2022. During his time in the Senate, he held important roles like President pro tempore and Minority Leader. He began his political journey as a representative for Batangas' 4th district from 1992 to 2001.

In 2007, Mr. Recto tried to get re-elected as Senator but did not win. Many people thought this was because he had helped create a law called the EVAT (Expanded Value Added Tax) law, which was not very popular. Later, in 2008, he was appointed to lead the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), which plans for the country's economic growth. He resigned from this role in 2009 to run for the Senate again in the 2010 elections.

Ralph Recto comes from a family of politicians. His grandfather, Claro M. Recto, was a famous statesman and Senator. His wife is the well-known actress and politician Vilma Santos.

Early Life and Family Background

Ralph Recto grew up in a family deeply involved in politics. His grandfather, Claro M. Recto, was a respected nationalist and served as a Senator for many years. Ralph's father, Rafael Recto, was also an Assemblyman. His older brother, Ricky Recto, was once the vice governor of Batangas province.

His mother was Carmen Gonzalez-Recto, and his sister, Plinky Recto, is an actress and TV host.

Education and Learning Journey

Ralph Recto studied at the De La Salle University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in commerce in 1989. He also took up a Master of Public Administration at the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1990, completing some units.

In 1993, he earned a Certificate in Business Economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific. Later, in 1997, he attended a special leadership course at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in the United States.

Political Career Highlights

Ralph Recto has had a long and impactful career in Philippine politics, serving in different important roles.

Serving in the House of Representatives: 1992–2001

Mr. Recto made history as the youngest person elected to the House of Representatives during the 9th Congress. He also set a record in Batangas by winning every single voting area in the 1995 and 1998 elections. He received an amazing 98% of the votes in those elections for the 4th District of Batangas.

During his nine years as a Representative, he helped create many laws. Most of these laws focused on improving the economy and reducing poverty. Some important laws he helped pass include:

• The Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act
• The Philippine Economic Zone Law
• The Retail Trade Liberalization Law

First Term as Senator: 2001–2007

In 2001, Ralph Recto was elected to the Senate. At 37, he was the youngest Senator in the 12th Congress. In the Senate, he led committees on Ways and Means (which deals with taxes) and Trade and Industry.

He also co-chaired committees that watched over how tax laws and development aid were used. As chairman of the Accounts committee, he managed the Senate's finances. During this term, he was key to passing laws that helped consumers, small businesses, and workers.

Leading the National Economic and Development Authority: 2008–2009

After his Senate re-election bid in 2007 was unsuccessful, Mr. Recto joined the board of Union Bank of the Philippines. On July 23, 2008, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed him as the new director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

NEDA is a government agency that plans for the country's economic and social development. He resigned from this role in August 2009 to prepare for another run for the Senate in the 2010 elections.

Second Term as Senator: 2010–2016

Mr. Recto successfully won a Senate seat in the 2010 elections. On July 22, 2013, he was elected as the Senate President Pro-Tempore. This is the second-highest position in the Senate.

He also chaired the Senate Committee on Science and Technology during this term.

Third Term as Senator: 2016–2022

Official portrait of Ralph Recto as Philippine Senator, from 2016 to 2022.

Ralph Recto ran for re-election in the 2016 Philippine Senate election and won, placing 11th. On July 25, 2016, he was nominated for Senate President. After losing the vote, he became the Minority Leader. He promised that the minority group would work with the government if it helped the public. However, he also said they would oppose plans that might harm the nation.

On February 27, 2017, the Senate reorganized, and Mr. Recto was again named Senate President Pro Tempore. During his third term, he authored many important laws, including:

• The Universal Health Care Act, which aims to provide health care for everyone.
• The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Act, which helps poor families.
• The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education, making college more accessible.
• The Ease of Doing Business Act, making it easier to start and run businesses.
• The National ID System, creating a national identification card for Filipinos.

In September 2018, Mr. Recto joined the Nacionalista Party.

Return to the House of Representatives: 2022–2024

After serving three terms in the Senate, Mr. Recto could not run for Senate again in 2022 due to term limits. Instead, he ran for a seat in the House of Representatives for the 6th district of Batangas, which includes Lipa City. He won this election without any opponents, taking over from his wife, Vilma Santos, who did not seek re-election.

On July 27, 2022, he was appointed as a House Deputy Speaker.

Becoming Secretary of Finance: 2024-Present

Recto taking the oath as Finance Secretary before President Bongbong Marcos on Malacañan Palace, January 12, 2024.

On January 11, 2024, his 60th birthday, President Bongbong Marcos appointed Ralph Recto as the new Secretary of Finance. He officially took his oath of office on January 12, 2024. This new role meant he had to leave his positions as House Deputy Speaker and Representative for Batangas' 6th district. His appointment as Finance Secretary was confirmed on March 13, 2024.

Personal Life

Ralph Recto is married to the famous actress and former Batangas Representative Vilma Santos-Recto. They have one son named Ryan Recto. He is also the stepfather of actor Luis Manzano. He lives in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, and in Lipa, Batangas.

See also

• Aksyon ng Bayan Rosario 2001 And Beyond
• Tau Gamma Phi