Executive Secretary Ralph Recto’s appointment in November 2025, following Lucas Bersamin’s resignation amid widespread anti-corruption protests, made him the Palace enforcer, given his solid network in Congress, where he had stints as a member of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who followed Recto’s political path, relies heavily on him as a bridge between the executive and legislative branches.

Nosy Tarsee learned from several lawmakers of an “open secret” about Recto’s aggressive efforts to blunt a perceived Legarda juggernaut on his Batangas turf.

His wife, celebrity-politician Vilma Santos-Recto, served as Batangas governor until 2022 and then was mayor of Lipa City; their son, Ryan Christian Recto, is the current congressman for Batangas’ 6th district.

Legarda, despite her roots in Antique, has become a political fixture in Batangas, where her son holds the 1st District seat. Rep. Leandro Leviste has been a vocal critic of the flood control scandal, unsettling established interests.

Recto lost his 2007 Senate reelection bid after sponsoring the controversial Expanded Value-Added Tax (EVAT), a reform that boosted the economy but was politically toxic.

Its backlash has been resurrected, as he is now perceived to be behind the budget manipulation racket that swiped P60 billion from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and P107 billion from the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.

Legarda, a consistent Senate topnotcher, has skillfully navigated alliances clashing with Recto’s pro-Marcos stance.

Recto’s alleged intervention in the leadership feud reinforces Malacañang’s control over the Senate, averting a mid-term shakeup.

His rise to Executive Secretary, often referred to as the “little president,” signaled his loyalty to Marcos and may position him for an endorsement for vice president or a spot for a Senate seat in the coming elections.

Recto, with his strong ties to the Palace, seeks to thwart the flood control probe’s expansion into Batangas projects, where his local ties, primarily with Construction Workers Solidarity partylist Rep. Edwin Gardiola, might invite scrutiny.

Recto’s alleged role in quashing the move to oust Senate President Tito Sotto reinforces his image as Marcos’ point man, potentially positioning him for a pivotal role in 2028.