Recto resigns

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo announced yesterday the resignation of Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto. There was no announcement of his replacement.

An official who declined to be named said Mrs. Arroyo informed her official family of Recto’s resignation before yesterday’s Cabinet meeting with an announcement that he would be making his final presentation.

“This will be his (Recto’s) final presentation because he’s leaving on the 16th to concentrate on the things he will do,” the official quoted Mrs. Arroyo as saying.

Cabinet officials applauded after Recto’s presentation.

Recto himself did not cite his reason for quitting his post as director general of the National Economic and Development Authority, but a NEDA source said his being at loggerheads with Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes over fuel prices had nothing to do with it.

“Secretary Recto has resigned as socioeconomic planning secretary and NEDA director general effective Aug. 16 to explore elective opportunities,” a NEDA statement said.

Recto’s voicing disgust at oil firms’ alleged overpricing had angered Reyes who himself had been a subject of public indignation for not using his power to rein in runaway fuel prices.

Reyes said that in speaking out against the oil companies, Recto might be trying to atone for his “sin” and regain public sympathy at his expense. He didn’t say what “sin” Recto committed, but he was apparently referring to the former senator’s sponsorship of the unpopular expanded value added tax.

The NEDA source said Recto tendered his resignation about two months ago and Mrs. Arroyo asked that he stay for a few more weeks.

Political plans

In Batangas City, Recto’s wife Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto said her husband had to leave NEDA so he could concentrate on his political plans and that the case of his brother former vice governor Ricky Recto had nothing to do with his decision.

“There’s nothing final yet until the effectivity of his resignation as NEDA secretary on Aug. 16,” Santos told The STAR over the phone.

“Maybe next week, we will sit down together to finalize our political plans,” she added

Asked if Ricky Recto’s case had influenced the former NEDA chief’s decision to quit, she said, “maybe a part of it, but it’s not the primary reason.”

A warrant of arrest for murder and frustrated murder had been issued against Ricky Recto in connection with alleged assassination try on former Batangas Gov. Armand Sanchez.

Sanchez was seriously hurt and his two aides were killed when his SUV exploded outside the provincial capitol in June 2006. Former rebel soldiers said Recto funded the attack.

Santos is running for reelection as Batangas governor and has declined numerous invitations for her to run in the vice-presidential race.

“I still love Batangas and there are still many things that I have to accomplish here,” she said.

New Senate bid

While Vilma said her husband has yet to finalize his political plans, NEDA deputy director-general Rolando Tungpalan said his former boss is again aiming for a Senate seat in 2010.

“We had wanted him to finish his term because NEDA was already riding high with his leadership but I guess he is meant for loftier things in life aka the Senate,” Tungpalan said.

“He has given great value to our work at the NEDA,” Tungpalan told The STAR yesterday.

Recto did not answer calls to his mobile phone. He is set to hold a press conference today to explain his decision after a scheduled meeting with NEDA employees.

Recto took over as NEDA chief in July last year, replacing Romulo Neri who was named president of the Social Security System (SSS), the state-owned pension fund manager for private employees.

As NEDA chief, Recto constantly called the attention of oil companies over their weekly price increases, drawing the ire of Reyes.

President Arroyo appointed Recto as Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA chief a year after he lost in the 2007 senatorial elections.

Recto served as senator from 2001 to 2007 or during the 12th and 13th Congress and from 1992 to 2001 as congressional representative of the 4th district of Batangas.

Recto obtained a masters degree in Strategic Business Economics at the University of Asia and the Pacific and a masters in Public Administration at the University of the Philippines. – With Iris Gonzales, Arnell Ozaeta