Senator Ralph Recto with wife Congresswoman Vilma Santos/ File Photo by SC-PIO
Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto may have lost a committee chairmanship in the House of Representatives for voting against the death penalty but not the support and respect of her “very proud” husband, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto.
“I’m very proud of my lovely wife. Like me, she is independent-minded. We share the same convictions,” Recto said in a text message on Thursday.
The senator was reacting to the House leadership’s decision to remove his wife as chair of the committee on civil service and professional regulation.
Recto said the House’s action against his wife was expected.
“That’s a small price to pay to stand firm on your convictions,” he said. “She is happy with her decision and I am happy for her.”
While he is part of the majority bloc, Recto has reiterated his position against restoring the death penalty in the country.
The senator, in past interviews, even joked that his wife would kill him if he voted for the death penalty bill.
Santos-Recto was just among a dozen of House members who were stripped of key posts after voting against the death penalty bill. Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was also removed as deputy speaker. JE/rga
READ: Alvarez drops ax on Arroyo, other antideath penalty allies