RALPH "KoRecto" RECTO

re-electionist senator, husband of Vilma Santos

The Candidate
at a Glance

TICKET/PARTY: Team Unity/LAKAS
CAMPAIGN SLOGAN: KORECTO
ADVOCACY: economy,
countryside development
 
Personal Information
 
BIRTHDATE: 11 Jan 1964
AGE: 43
BIRTHPLACE: Quezon City
SPOUSE: Rosa Vilma Santos (actress and Lipa City mayor)
POLITICAL CLAN: Rectos of Batangas - former Senator Claro M. Recto, grandfather; former Batasang Pambansa Rep. Rafael Recto, father; former Batangas Governor Vicente Mayo, uncle; Batangas Vice Governor Ricky Recto, brother
PROMINENT RELATIVE: actress and Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos, wife

Education

  • BS Commerce, Major in Business Administration, De La Salle University (1987)
  • Masters Degree in Public Administration, UP (1991)
  • Masters Degree in Strategic Business Economics, University of Asia and the Pacific (1994)

Career

  • senator, 2001-2007
  • representative, 4th District of Batangas (three terms: 1992-1995, 1995-1998, 1998-2001)

     

Mr. Taxman (R-VAT)

Recto authored Senate Bill 1950, which was consolidated along with counterpart House bills into RA 9337 – the Reformed Value-Added Tax Law (R-VAT). RA 9337 imposed VAT on formerly VAT-exempt items (including petroleum products) and raised the VAT rate from 10% to 12% (effective February 2006).

re-election bid with Team Unity

Recto and fellow re-electionist, Joker Arroyo were among those being eyed by the opposition to take up slots under the then United Opposition (now Genuine Opposition) senatorial lineup. However, Recto and Arroyo decided to join TEAM Unity. Despite this, both of them said that they will remain independent on certain issues.

Wednesday Group

Recto and Arroyo have parted ways with two other members of the Wednesday group, Manny Villar (opposition candidate) and Kiko Pangilinan (independent). Days before the deadline of filing of the certificates of candidacy, there were speculations that all four of them would be running under one ticket or would present themselves as the “Third Force”.

Recto vs. Recto in Batangas gubernatorial race

Recto referred to his wife, Lipa Mayor Vilma Santos, as “the next Batangas governor” during a Team Unity campaign rally in San Fernando, Batangas. Santos, however, had reservations on joining the gubernatorial race since she will be running against incumbent Vice Governor Ricky Recto, who is Ralph’s brother. Santos eventually announced that she would push through with her plans to run for Batangas governor.

among the top TV ad spenders

According to an AC Nielsen survey (Feb 13-25), Recto spent P22.79 million on campaign ads, making him the third biggest TV ad spender among the senatorial aspirants. He lagged behind Prospero Pichay and Manny Villar, who each spent more than P30 million.

early campaigning?

Recto appeared with his family in “infomercials” as early as December 2006. These ads, shown way before the campaign period started, cost P19.637 million.

 

BILLS FILED / LAWS BASED ON AUTHORED BILLS

  • tax-related laws R-VAT (RA 9337), sin tax (RA 9334)
  • priority bills, e.g. biofuels (now RA 9367), lateral attrition (now RA 9335), Simplified Net Income Tax Reform Act (SB 2210)
  • election-related bills, e.g. automated voting, counting and canvassing of votes (SB 1371); campaign finance reform and party development (SB 1329); resignation of cabinet members one year before filing candidacy (SB 1321)
  • human rights-related bills, e.g. human rights victims compensation (SB 1330), anti-enforced or involuntary disappearance (SB 1367)
  • consumer-related, e.g. rent control (now RA 9161), pre-need plans options (SB 1344)

 

STAND

  • on Charter change. Recto was among the senators who filed a resolution expressing their disapproval of the House of Representatives' attempt to pursue charter change sans the
    Senate’s participation.

 

Sources: Certificate of Candidacy, Official Biodata, www.gmanews.tv, INEWS, QS, i-site.ph, Inquirer.net, www.senate.gov.ph, newsbreak.com.ph