Recto asked about DOF post rumor; here’s what he said

House Deputy Speaker and Batangas 6th district Rep. Ralph Recto (Facebook)

House Deputy Speaker Batangas 6th district Rep. Ralph Recto says he has “no idea” about his rumored appointment as the next Department of Finance (DOF) secretary.

Recto attended on Thursday morning, Nov. 30 the first day of the Bicameral Conference Committee meetings on the disagreeing provisions between the House and Senate versions of the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024 at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City.

For weeks now, rumors have swirled that he had been handpicked to take over the reins from DOF Secretary Benjamin Diokno. There are even reports that President Marcos has already signed his appointment papers.

Recto was in a particularly jovial mood when he was asked about his supposed appointment on the sidelines of the bicam meeting.

“Marites kayo ha (You’re being Marites),” he jokingly told House reporters.

“I have no idea. I have no idea. I can’t comment on that, that’s [for] the President to decide,” Recto said when asked about his appointment papers.

Asked if Marcos had offered him the DOF post, the veteran lawmaker from Batangas answered, “I’m focused here on the budget.”

The former Senate President Pro Tempore’s attendance at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in the United States (US) along with Marcos and members of the latter’s Cabinet further fueled rumors of his supposed impending transfer to the executive branch.

But Recto said he was merely there to “[represent] the Philippines”.

The proposed P5.768-trillion national budget or General Appropriation Bill (GAB) for next year is the largest in the country’s history. — Ellson Quismorio

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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph