THE APPOINTMENT OF Ralph Recto as the little president, to replace Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin is a good choice that would serve the best interest of President Marcos, but not us citizens of the Republic as Recto is behind all those oppressive taxes that were forced upon us, and more could be forthcoming with him beside the president.
As congressman, Recto was behind the value added tax at the time of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and that of the transfer of P69 billion PhilHealth savings to the national treasury (which was bad for us who contributed to that fund as a surety for our health concerns). He is also behind the framework for PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) that actually is being romanticized as an economic propeller when in reality most export zones are white elephants.
It was also Recto who worked to strengthen ecozone and lowering barriers for foreign retailers to operate in the Philippines and in the process killed our own industries and small retailers, while providing tax incentives (at our expense) to multinational companies to establish regional headquarters in the Philippines.
As if those are not enough, Recto authored the Comprehensive Tax Reform law, which provided broader tax reforms by including excise taxes and VAT bases.
As senator (2001-2007 and again 2010 to 2022), he was known for sponsoring major tax, health, education and economic reforms, including EVAT in his first term that contributed to his 2007 reelection loss.
RALPH RECTO AS SENATOR
Recto served multiple terms in the Senate, chairing the Ways and Means Committee for several congresses. He was known for sponsoring major tax, health, education, and economic reforms, including some controversial ones like the Expanded Value-Added Tax (EVAT) Law in his first term, which contributed to his 2007 reelection loss.
In the senate, he was often called the Senate’s “resident numbers genius” for his expertise in fiscal and tax legislation. Many of his measures aimed at revenue generation, social welfare expansion, and business ease, though some (like TRAIN and EVAT) faced public criticism for increasing certain taxes.
Even as Finance Secretary of Marcos until Nov. 17, he drew much criticism for his vehement support to taxing (not banning) POGOs, taxing VAPE and other artificial sweeteners, and his vehement push for the unpopular sovereign fund, with capital coming from pension funds of the people, which to this day has yet to prove its benefit to the citizenry.
His legislative record remains one of the most prolific in recent Philippine history, particularly in economic and tax policy.
BLOATED SELF-CONFIDENCE
Remember that just recently, when he got piqued over widespread criticisms over his pronouncements: “do not teach me how to do my work.” This snobbishness is what would prevail now at the Palace.
By and large, Recto is an aristocrat– preferring to project an image of a technocrat than a down-to-earth leader– and such image can worsen with him now occupying the most enviable post with its proximity and influence upon the President.
He may be a good economist (a student of former President Arroyo) and one of the best politicians (who can wield influence and make lawmakers not on the side of Marcos to toe the line) but he has no heart for the common man. So let us expect harder days ahead with Recto behind the curtains of Malacanang.