Ralph Recto
After serving the Arroyo cabinet for more than a year, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Ralph Recto announced his resignation to the office to prepare for his senatorial bid next year. Executive Secretary Eduardo said that Recto’s resignation is effective on mid-August.
President Arroyo has accepted the resignation of Recto, who was appointed NEDA chief last July 2008. “I don’t’ see why the President will not accept it. She respects his decision.” Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio also said that the President herself announced the planned departure of Recto to her cabinet during the weekly cabinet meeting at the Department of Foreign Affairs. During the said meeting, Recto had made his “valedictory” NEDA report regarding the plan in sustaining the resiliency of domestic economy.
When he was supposed to make his Global Recession Impact News (GRIN) presentation, the President said that Recto will be presenting his valedictory presentation because of his resignation on August 16. Claudio also said that Recto grabbed the occasion to thank the President and the cabinet for having served as NEDA chief. “It was no longer a surprise to the cabinet that he was leaving due to his political plans.”
Recto will run under the senatorial slate of the administration. And Claudio also dismissed the rumors that the resignation of Recto is due to the alleged rift with Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes.
Meanwhile, NEDA deputy director general Augusto Santos will be the officer in charge once Recto’s resignation is already effective.
