Malacañan Palace Grounds
January 12, 2024

“It is with great pleasure that I announce two crucial appointments that will impact the economic landscape of our Bagong Pilipinas,” said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as he presented newly appointed Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto and Secretary Frederick Go, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, during a Malacañang Press Briefing at the Malacañan Palace Grounds.

In his announcement, the President commended both Secretaries for their distinguished expertise, vision and dedication that will contribute to the prosperity of the country.

“The challenge before all of us then is not just to grow the economy but to make sure that such growth is seen and felt by our people,” he reiterated, mentioning that economic growth should manifest with improvements in the country’s infrastructure, health care and educational systems.

In presenting Secretary Go, the Chief Executive expressed his trust that he will be at the forefront when the Administration takes the leap towards economic progress.

“With his innovative vision, Secretary Go will help us create an environment that will not just draw in investments but realize them, ushering in an era of unprecedented growth across industries,” he remarked.

Thereafter, President Marcos Jr. acknowledged newly appointed DOF Secretary Ralph Recto for his remarkable career in public service, having excelled in various roles within the government.

“He will be a major player on how we stay on the path of growth, meet and even surpass our medium term fiscal targets, and achieve our developmental targets,” he said.

Likewise, the President expressed his anticipation that Secretary Recto will champion reforms, leverage influence in both Houses of Congress into passing bills that will accelerate growth, draw in investments, and create better jobs while raising funds that will be invested back for human and physical capital formation.

Furthermore, he instructed the DOF Secretary to be at the forefront in the anti-smuggling drive and pursue tax cheats, starting with the habitual ones who have raised tax evasion not just into an art but into a business.

“My fellow Filipinos, these two gentlemen embody the values of competence, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility that we look for in our government leaders,” he stated.

The Chief Executive urged everyone to support the new Secretaries as they assume these critical roles in the government.

“Let us join hands in building a future where economic prosperity is shared by all, where opportunities abound, and where the Philippines stands tall on the global stage,” President Marcos Jr. concluded in his message.

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