PBBM swears in Recto as new Executive Secretary, Go as Finance chief

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

NEW EXECUTIVE SECRETARY. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. greets newly minted Executive Secretary Ralph Recto after taking his oath of office on Wednesday (Nov. 19, 2025) in Malacañang. The President also administered the oath to Frederick Go, who was tapped to take over as Finance Secretary. (PCO photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday administered the oath of office to newly designated Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and Finance Acting Secretary Frederick Go in Malacañang, formalizing key leadership changes following the resignation of two senior Cabinet officials earlier this week.

The ceremony took place two days after the President accepted the “out-of-delicadeza” resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, whose offices were among those mentioned in ongoing investigations into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro earlier said Bersamin and Pangandaman voluntarily stepped down to give the administration “full latitude” to address the issues raised in the investigation and to protect the integrity of the offices they led.

Recto, who previously served as Finance Secretary, is expected to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Office of the President, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and push forward the administration’s high-impact programs.

He brings decades of experience in national planning, fiscal policy, and legislative reforms.

Go, meanwhile, assumes leadership of the Department of Finance after serving as Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs.

Malacañang has credited him for advancing investment pipelines, aligning major economic initiatives across agencies, and bolstering investor confidence amid global economic headwinds.

Castro said the leadership changes reflect the President’s commitment to institutional strengthening and clean governance as inquiries continue into alleged budget irregularities.