Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto describes NEDA Secretary Karl Chua as a ‘NERD’ – National Economist for Recovery and Development – ‘with K-pop looks’
Karl Chua is officially the secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), after he breezed through the confirmation hearing of the Commission on Appointments (CA) in a hybrid session on Wednesday, June 2.
All members of the CA were supportive of Chua’s appointment, noting his vast experience in development economics.
“The nominee is a NERD – but with K-pop looks. By NERD, I mean our National Economist for Recovery and Development,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto.
“And it is not only his youthfulness which makes him stand out in a Cabinet of DOMs – Davao connection, Oldies but goodies, and Military – but his intellect, too.”
Chua, 41, was nominated as socioeconomic planning secretary last April, after taking up the role in an acting capacity following the resignation of Ernesto Pernia in 2020.
Prior to his stint at NEDA, Chua was Department of Finance (DOF) undersecretary and championed the Duterte administration’s tax reform agenda.
Before joining government, he was a senior country economist at the World Bank office in Manila.
During the hearing, he was asked by Senator Grace Poe how he manages to strike a balance between data and political interests, adding that politicians “come and go, but policies will have lasting effects.”
“Before NEDA, in DOF, I have only used data to justify reforms…. In NEDA, my style is I do not recommend to the NEDA Board [anything] that is not fully vetted or have incomplete requirements,” Chua said.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, advised Chua not to be “too kind” when debating with other Cabinet members.
Senator Risa Hontiveros also supported Chua’s appointment, even though she admitted that she only agreed with him half of the time.
Hontiveros, on various occasions, disagreed with the economic team’s conservative fiscal response for the coronavirus pandemic. – Rappler.com