Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda (left), incoming DOF Secretary Ralph Recto (Rep. Salceda's office, Recto's office)

A ranking congressman already can't wait to work with incoming Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto. 

"I look forward to working with him when session resumes these coming days," House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda said in a statement Thursday, Jan. 11, a few hours before Malacañang confirmed Recto's appointment to the Cabinet. 

Recto, husband of former Batangas governor and actress Vilma Santos, has been serving as House deputy speaker in the current 19th Congress. He was elected Batangas 6th district congressman during the May 2022 polls. 

He will have to vacate his seat in the House of Representatives after he takes over the DOF post. 

"I am optimistic that key tax reforms pending in the Senate will also move faster with his appointment, due to his relationships in that chamber, as well as his ability to broker viable compromises," Salceda said, alluding to Recto's previous stint as senator. 

The Albay solon said that Recto "brings in a wealth of experience in economic legislation and deep and longstanding relationships with members of Congress". 

"This experience and network will be crucial in enacting meaningful reforms to address cost of living, create employment, and expand our fiscal space," he said. 

Salceda said Recto has been chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means in the Senate and was one of the authors of the 1997 Comprehensive Tax Reform Program during his tenure in the House.