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	Ryan Christian Recto
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
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
Incumbent
In role June 30, 2025
Governor	Vilma Santos
Preceded by	Angelica Chua-Mandanas
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 (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 (born January 11, 1964) is a Filipino politician. He is currently the 33rd Secretary of Finance. He started this role in January 2024, working under President Bongbong Marcos.

Before this, he was a representative for Batangas' 6th district. He also served as a House Deputy Speaker from 2022 to 2024.

Mr. Recto has served three terms in the Senate. These terms were from 2001 to 2007 and from 2010 to 2022. He was also the President pro tempore of the Senate. This is the second-highest position in the Senate. He also served as the Senate Minority Leader. He began his political journey as a representative for Batangas' 4th district from 1992 to 2001.

In 2007, he did not win his Senate re-election. Many people thought this was because he supported the EVAT (Expanded Value Added Tax) law, which was not very popular. In July 2008, he was chosen to lead the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). He resigned from NEDA in August 2009 to prepare for another Senate election in 2010.

Ralph Recto is the grandson of a famous statesman named Claro M. Recto. His wife is the actress and politician Vilma Santos.

Early Life and Family

Ralph Recto comes from a family with a history in politics. His grandfather, Claro M. Recto, was a well-known Senator. Ralph's older brother, Ricky Recto, was also a former vice governor of Batangas province.

His mother was Carmen Gonzalez-Recto, who passed away in 2013. His sister, Plinky Recto, is an actress and TV host.

Education and Learning

Ralph Recto earned a Bachelor of Science degree in commerce. He completed this at De La Salle University in 1989. In 1990, he started studying for a Master of Public Administration. This was at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He completed some courses but did not finish the full degree.

Later, in 1993, Recto took a special program. It was called the Strategic Business Economics Program (SBEP). He received a Certificate in Business Economics (CBE) from the University of Asia and the Pacific.

In 1997, he attended a short leadership course. This was at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. It is part of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

Political Journey

Serving in the House of Representatives: 1992–2001

Ralph Recto was the youngest person elected to the House of Representatives in 1992. He was also the youngest elected official during his time. He set a record in Batangas' election history. He won in every voting area, village, and city in the 1995 and 1998 elections. He received 98% of the votes in the 4th District of Batangas during those elections.

During his nine years in the House of Representatives, he helped create many laws. These laws focused on improving the economy and reducing poverty. Some of these laws included:

• The Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act
• The Philippine Economic Zone Law
• The Retail Trade Liberalization Law
• The Comprehensive Tax Reform 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 important committees. These included the Committees on Ways and Means, and on Trade and Industry.

He also helped oversee how certain laws were put into action. These included the National Internal Revenue Code and the Official Development Assistance. He also chaired the Accounts committee.

During his first six years as a Senator, he helped pass laws that benefited many people. These laws helped consumers, small business owners, workers, and different industries.

Leading the National Economic and Development Authority: 2008–2009

After not winning re-election to the Senate in 2007, Recto joined the board of the Union Bank of the Philippines.

On July 23, 2008, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed him. He became the new director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). He resigned from this role on August 11, 2009. This was to prepare for his next run for the Senate in the 2010 elections.

Second Term as Senator: 2010–2016

Ralph Recto was one of the winning candidates in the 2010 Senate elections.

On July 22, 2013, he was elected Senate President Pro-Tempore. This is the second-highest position in the Senate. He also chaired the Senate Committee on Science and Technology. He was a member of the bicameral Commission on Appointments.

Third Term as Senator: 2016–2022

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

Recto ran for re-election in the 2016 Philippine Senate election. He was part of the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid group. He won, placing 11th in the election results.

On July 25, 2016, he was nominated for the Senate presidency. After losing the vote, he automatically became the Minority Leader. He promised that the minority group would work with the government. He said they would support plans that help the public. However, he also stated they would oppose plans that might harm the nation.

On February 27, 2017, the Senate changed its leadership. Recto was then chosen as Senate President Pro Tempore. He received 17 votes for this position.

During his third term, he authored many important laws. Some of these include:

• The Murang Kuryente Act (Affordable Electricity Act)
• The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Act (a program helping poor families)
• The Universal Health Care Act (making healthcare available to everyone)
• The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (free college education)
• The Ease of Doing Business/Expanded Anti-Red Tape Act (making it easier to start businesses)
• The National ID System (creating a national identification card)

In September 2018, Recto left the Liberal Party. He then rejoined the Nacionalista Party.

Return to the House of Representatives: 2022–2024

After serving his maximum terms in the Senate, Recto ran for the House of Representatives again in 2022. This time, he ran for the 6th district of Batangas. This district includes only the city of Lipa. He won this election without anyone running against him. He took over from his wife, Vilma Santos, who decided not to seek re-election.

On July 27, 2022, Recto was named a House Deputy Speaker. He served under Speaker Martin Romualdez.

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, which was his 60th birthday, President Bongbong Marcos appointed Ralph Recto as the Secretary of Finance. He officially took his oath of office on January 12, 2024. He replaced Benjamin Diokno in this role. At the same time, he left his positions as House Deputy Speaker and Representative for Batangas' 6th district. The Commission on Appointments confirmed his appointment as Finance Secretary on March 13, 2024.

On May 22, 2025, President Marcos asked his cabinet members to offer their resignations. This happened after the May 12, 2025 midterm elections. Recto followed this order. He will continue to serve as Secretary until President Marcos decides whether to accept his resignation.

Personal Life

Ralph Recto is married to 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 Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa, and in Inosluban, Lipa.

See also

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