RECTO DISMISSES APPOINTMENT RUMORS AS NEXT FINANCE CHIEF, ASSERTS LACK OF KNOWLEDGE

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — House Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto has disavowed any knowledge of rumors suggesting his candidacy for the position of Finance Secretary.

“I have no idea. I cannot comment on that. That’s for the President to decide,” Recto stated when asked by House reporters.

When questioned about whether President Ferdinand Marcos “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had extended the offer, Recto redirected focus to the 2024 national budget.

The bicameral conference committee recently convened for a hearing on the proposed P5.7 trillion national budget for 2024.

Rumors about Recto’s potential appointment began circulating when he accompanied the President to the United States for the 30th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit.

The APEC CEO Summit annually brings together the region’s leading CEOs.

(ai/mnm)