PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has chosen Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto as the next Secretary of the Department of Finance, replacing veteran economist Benjamin Diokno, Malacañang said. 

In a message to reporters on Thursday night, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said Recto would take his oath of office before Marcos on Friday.

Recto served four terms as Batangas congressman, three terms as senator (2001–2007, 2010–2022), and was the NEDA secretary from July 2008 to August 2009.

He earned his commerce degree (major in business management) from De La Salle University.