Ralph Gonzalez Recto is the current Secretary of the Department of Finance (DOF) and Member of the Monetary Board representing the government sector. Prior to his appointment, Recto served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress, representing the 6th District of Batangas.

His extensive political career includes three terms in the Senate (from 2001 to 2007 and from 2010 to 2022), where he held key positions such as Senate President Pro Tempore (16th to 18th Congress) and Senate Minority Leader (17th Congress). He started his political career as the Representative of the 4th District of Batangas from 1992 to 2001.

He has previously been a member of the country’s economic team as Socioeconomic Planning Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in 2008.

As a seasoned legislator, he pursued numerous tax measures and economic reforms meant to address the cost of living, generate meaningful employment, and expand the country’s fiscal space.

Among the major laws he principally authored/sponsored were the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act; the Universal Healthcare Act; the Rice Tariffication Act; the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018; the General Tax Amnesty; the Rationalization of Excise Tax on Automobiles; and the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act.

During the pandemic, he co-authored the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act as well as initiated budget priorities that were necessary not only to stem the spread of the virus but also to speed up economic recovery.

He has also supported initiatives intended to soften the impact of an economic downturn, such as the Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) Act and the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act.

As Finance Secretary, Recto is determined to steer the nation faster towards inclusive growth that all of the Filipino people can benefit from, that results in the improvement of their lives, and secures the future of generations to come.