MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo has appointed former senator Ralph Recto as the new director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Recto’s appointment was signed on July 10. He is expected to officially assume his new post today upon receiving his appointment papers, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told a news briefing.
Acting NEDA chief Augusto Santos will revert to his previous post as deputy director general.
“It will be a very challenging job considering current conditions (global credit crunch, high fuel, rice and commodity prices), but I look forward to possibly working with the best and the brightest of government employees,” Recto said in a statement in reaction to his appointment.
“I also look forward to sharing ideas with former NEDA directors general on a wide range of issues and hopefully work out a consensus with the opposition on strategic economic policies regarding economic threats and opportunities,” he added.
Recto is the third losing administration candidate in the May 2007 senatorial elections to be given a post by Mrs. Arroyo.
Earlier this month, former senator Vicente Sotto III was named chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board while former presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor now heads the Presidential Task Force on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.
There are reports that another poll loser, former Surigao del Sur congressman Prospero Pichay, will get the top post in the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration.
Ermita said Recto did not ask for the post and that “the President asked him (to head NEDA).”
“He’s very qualified and he’s an economist,” Ermita said of Recto when asked by reporters why the Palace chose the former senator.
“You cannot question Sen. Recto’s qualifications. He was chairman of the committee on economic affairs when he was still congressman (representing Batangas) for nine years,” he said.
When it was pointed out that the former senator was the third pro-administration poll loser to be given a new post by the administration, Ermita said: “You cannot avoid that some people would have something to say on appointments made by the President.”
“Every time there is an appointment, we get reactions. We must recognize the President’s appointing authority and she very well knows the qualities of people who can help her in governance,” Ermita said.
The former senator, husband of multi-awarded actress and Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, is best known for authoring the 12-percent value-added tax bill.
It was said that his sponsorship of the VAT cost him his senatorial bid last year but the Arroyo administration cited the fiscal measure as the single biggest measure that allowed the country to improve its credit ratings and to survive the raging fuel and food price crises.
Recto holds two masteral degrees – one in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines and another in Strategic Business Economics from the University of Asia & the Pacific.
He also took up a Leadership Scholarship Course at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Recto was youngest member of the 9th Congress and the youngest senator in 2001 at 37.
He is a grandson of the late statesman and nationalist Claro M. Recto.
Messages of support, caution
“Good luck” was the message relayed by a fellow “Wednesday Group” member in the Senate to the new NEDA chief.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan expressed hope that Recto’s appointment would improve the relations between the executive department and the Senate.
Other members of the “Wednesday Group” are Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. and Sen. Joker Arroyo.
Sen. Benigno Aquino III dared Recto to be always truthful and not to follow the footsteps of former NEDA chief Romulo Neri, who cited executive privilege in his refusal to divulge to the Senate the details of his conversation with President Arroyo regarding irregularities in the national broadband network deal with China’s ZTE Corp.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said Recto “is fully qualified for the post but administration is bad for him and the nation.”
Sen. Francis Escudero, for his part, wished Recto well but said he “would have preferred a career person to be appointed.”
Former socioeconomic planning secretary Cielito Habito also expressed support for Recto’s appointment. “I have worked with him in deliberations on fiscal reforms, and he struck me as being very professional and serious in what he undertakes,” Habito said.
“I admire him, especially when he has to make recommendations and possible legislative agendas that are unpopular to certain business groups, including foreign groups,” he added.
Another former NEDA official also lauded Recto’s appointment, citing his credentials including his educational background. “NEDA charter states that the Director General must be a professional economist. That is generally interpreted as one with a master’s or doctorate degree in economics. It has been brought to our attention that Ralph Rector has a business administration and a public administration degree,” the former official said.
Prominent businessmen also voiced support for Recto. “We know that he is going to be pragmatic about things, being a pragmatic person. We wish him all the best of luck and we will be very supportive,” Manuel Pangilinan, chairman of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., said.
“He is a very good finance person and an economist. He is extremely qualified for the position. I am sure he will contribute a lot to the growth of the Philippine economy,” said Philippine Airlines president Juan Bautista.
“It is a good appointment. He has the legislative background and authored laws that helped put the country in a better financial situation,” said Lance Gokongwei, president of JG Summit Holdings. - With Marvin Sy, Aurea Calica, Mary Ann Reyes and Ted Torres