DOF Sec. Ralph Recto, Son Batangas Rep. Ryan Recto’s Exchange Lightens Mood during Budget Deliberation
RALPH RECTO – The Department of Finance Secretary jested to his son, Batangas 6th District Representative Ryan Recto, during the budget talks.
Undeniably, in the Philippines, several sons and daughters of government officials have also entered the field of politics. While some people are against “political dynasty”, some people also justify their moves as pursuit for public service. During the 2025 Midterm Elections, not only actress-turned-politician Vilma Santos ran for public office but as well as his sons.
Vilma Santos and her sons, Luis Manzano and Ryan Recto, ran in the 2025 Midterm Elections. Luis or also popularly called “Lucky” is his son with his actor ex-husband, Edu Manzano, and Ryan is his son with Department of Finance Sec. Ralph Recto.
The Star for All Season ran for governor in Batangas and won the gubernatorial race. However, for her running mate, Luis Manzano, the actor lost in his first attempt to secure the vice gubernatorial position in their province.
With regards to Ryan Recto, the son of Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos and Finance Sec. Ralph Recto, won as the representative of the 6th District of Batangas. The 29-year-old solon is one of the youngest members of the House of Representatives following his election win.
Recently, after the budget deliberation of the proposed 2026 national fund has officially started, Department of Finance Sec. Ralph Recto and Batangas 6th District Rep. Ryan Recto were in the same room for the budget talks. The younger Recto had his turn to interpellate the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) during the briefing of the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations.
Based on a report on Inquirer, during his turn to interpellate the DBCC, the younger Recto highlighted how the Philippines missed out an opportunity to be an upper-middle income country by just a few dollars — $26 to be exact.
“For the fiscal year 2026, the world defines an upper-middle income economy as one with a GNI (gross national income) per capita, using the World Bank atlas method between $4,496 and $13,935. Currently, the Philippines posted a recorded GNI per capita of $4,470,” he said.
Batangas 6th District Rep. Ryan Recto stressed that the Philippines could have been an upper-middle income country if it was not shy $26 with regards to its GNI. Based on the report, his father, Finance Sec. Ralph Recto, spoke and assured him that the country will achieve it this 2025.
“Don’t worry, we will catch up by this year,” the elder Recto said.
Furthermore, based on the report, DOF Sec. Ralph Rector jokingly threatened his son, Batangas 6th District Rep. Ryan Recto, that he will run against him in their district if he pushes for more queries. The statement of the Finance Secretary, also a former Senator, turned the mood during the budget talks lighter.
“And if you still have a lot of questions to throw at me, I will run against you in our district,” Sec. Recto told his son.
Meanwhile, as for the younger Recto, Batangas 6th District Rep Ryan Recto expressed his belief that the country is capable to achieve the target. He also congratulated the Marcos administration and the country’s economic team including his father.
Before the budget talks officially started, House Speaker Martin Romualdez vowed that they will really scrutinized the proposed 2026 budget. His statement came amid a huge budget cut for his chamber.