Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto "threatened" to challenge Rep. Ryan Recto in his district in the next elections in what was a comedic exchange between father and son on Monday night, Aug. 18 at the marathon budget briefing of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).

The exchange happened as Batangas 6th district Rep. Recto, 29, was trying to ask the DOF secretary about the Philippines' aspirations of being an upper-middle income country.

But the neophyte congressman gave a long preface to his question--something that caught the attention of his old man, who himself was a former House of Representatives member.

"In the DOF's previous presentation for the 2025 budget deliberations, it was stated by the good secretary of finance that the country is on the verge of becoming an upper-middle income country by 2025...Last year, the World Bank (WB) defines upper-middle income country-economies as those with a GNI (Gross National Income) per capita of ranging between $4,516--more or less P250,000--[and] $14,005 US dollars for 2025," Rep. Recto said.

He continued to throw numbers at the DBCC: "Last year, the World Bank (WB) defines upper-middle income country-economies as those with a GNI per capita of ranging between $4,516--more or less P250,000--[and] $14,005 US dollars for 2025. For the fiscal year 2026, the WB defines an upper-middle income economy as one with a GNI per capita, using the WB atlas method..between $4,496 and $13,935."

Rep. Recto says the Philippines' current GNI per capita is $4,470--tantalizingly close to the upper-middle income economy threshold.

"Sayang po. Muntikan na po itong ma-classify as upper-middle income sa bansa. $26 lang po ang pagitan (What a pity. This was so close to being classified as upper-middle income in the country. The gap was only $26)," said the "House Hotshots" member.

At this point, Secretary Recto interjected: "Huwag kang manghinayang, aabutan natin sa taong ito (Don't worry we will achieve that this year)."

The Cabinet official then brought the entire room down with laughter when he added: "At kung marami ka pang tanong sa akin, lalabanan kita sa distrito (And if you have more questions for me, I'll challenge you in your district)."

As if on cue--and knowing he got bested--Rep. Recto switched gears and delivered a glowing manifestation instead for the members of the President’s economic team.

"Well, I was going to say, Mr. Secretary, I believe we are capable of achieving that target. I Therefore commend the economic team and this administration, which includes you, Mr. Secretary," he told his father.

"Hindi naman po biro ang nakamit ninyong achievements (The achievements you have achieved is no joke). So congratulations.

"Thank you very much, you will be unopposed again," Secretary Recto said, as he elicited laughter once again from his son and the rest of the attendees in the House Committee on Appropriations-led briefing.

Rep. Recto noted that the Philippines' GNI per capita this year was an improvement from the $4,230 it posted the previous year. Monday was his first time ever to attend a budget briefing.

The elder Recto served as House deputy speaker during the previous 19th Congress. He also formerly served as senator.

In his opening speech at the DBCC briefing, he called the House of Representatives as the "bigger and better" chamber.