Marcos swears in Recto as Executive Secretary, Go as Finance Chief
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. administers the oath of office of Ralph Recto and Frederick Go as the new Executive Secretary and Department of Finance secretary, respectively, in Malacañan, on Nov. 19, 2025. (PCO)
President Marcos administered the oath of office of new Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and new Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Frederick Go, formalizing key changes in his economic and administrative team.
The two officials took their oaths at the Study Room in Malacañan on Wednesday, Nov. 19, two days after the Palace announced their appointments.
The Marcos administration’s recent Cabinet shakeup came following allegations of the President’s supposed involvement in budget insertions.
Recto, who headed the DOF, replaced former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin as the executive secretary. Go, on the other hand, served as Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs before transferring to the DOF.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro earlier said the President’s selections reflect his push to strengthen institutions and improve coordination across government.
She cited Recto and Go’s “strong policy, governance, and economic track records” as the basis for their appointment.
Castro said Recto’s long background in economic policy-making and fiscal legislation positions him to manage day-to-day government operations and oversee the rollout of high-impact programs. Aside from being Finance secretary, Recto previously served as a member of the Monetary Board and as chief of the now-defunct National Economic and Development Authority in 2008.
Go, who had served as Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, now takes charge of the country’s fiscal direction and the administration’s broader economic agenda.
He earlier held senior leadership roles in the private sector, including President and CEO of Robinsons Land Corporation, Chairman of RL Commercial REIT, Inc., and Chairman/Vice Chairman of the LIPAD Corporation managing the Clark International Airport.
According to Castro, the leadership changes highlight President Marcos’ commitment to providing “stability, opportunity, and security” for Filipinos as the administration pushes forward with its economic priorities.