Ralph Recto

Ralph Gonzalez Recto (; born January 11, 1964) is a Filipino politician, who, since 2022, is serving as the representative for Batangas' 6th district and is one of the House Deputy Speakers. He previously served three terms in the Senate: from 2001 to 2007 and from 2010 to 2022 and had served as president pro tempore of the Senate and Senate Minority Leader. He started his political career as the representative of Batangas' 4th district from 1992 to 2001. In 2007, Recto lost his Senate reelection bid because, as many analysts believed, he had authored the unpopular EVAT (Expanded Value Added Tax) law. In July 2008 he was appointed to head the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in the Arroyo administration, but resigned from his position in August 2009 in preparation for another run for the Senate in the 2010 elections. He is a grandson of statesman Claro M. Recto. His wife is actress-politician Vilma Santos. Early life Recto comes from a political family. His grandfather, the late nationalist and statesman Claro M. Recto, was a Senator for several terms. His father, Atty. Rafael Recto (d. 2008), was an Assemblyman during the Regular Batasang Pambansa while his older brother, Ricky Recto, was the former vice governor of the province of Batangas.