Recto’s inclusion in PBBM US trip fuels DOF appointment rumors

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – House Deputy Speaker and Batangas 6th district Representative Ralph Recto's inclusion in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s entourage to the United States fueled speculations about his alleged appointment as the Secretary of the Department of Finance.

Recto was on the presidential flight, PR001, which landed at 9:05 a.m. on Wednesday (Philippine time), marking the inaugural occasion of the congressman accompanying Marcos to the US for an official visit.

Recto, a deputy speaker in the House and a member of the Nacionalista Party, has been the subject of speculation regarding a potential replacement for the current Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

Diokno was also part of President Marcos' delegation to the US. However, Malacañang has not officially confirmed this information.

When asked about why the Batangas Congressman joined the presidential flight, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil Recto is "part of House contingent with Speaker Martin Romualdez."

In a social media post, former Presidential Communications Undersecretary Manolo Quezon highlighted the "legacy ties" in Recto's latest travel with Marcos.

"Something increasingly to note is the existence of legacy ties. Ralph's father, Rafael Recto, was a Marcos loyalist who inspired the martial law-era joke that he was 'ni Claro ni Recto,'" Quezon said on X (formerly Twitter).

Last September, Diokno dismissed the rumors suggesting that he is on the verge of being dismissed due to alleged economic policy disagreements with the President and his allies.

"I don't comment on rumors. That's it. Speculations," Diokno said in one of his weekly press briefings with Finance reporters.

Diokno has faced rumors of leaving his position before. This is a common occurrence, considering that the role of finance secretary, tasked with overseeing government revenues and taxes, is often among the less popular positions.

Last year, there were speculations that Albay Representative Joey Salceda might take over Diokno's position. Marcos expressed his view on the matter in November 2022, stating, "It's a very, very poor time to, as I say, change horses in midstream."