Ex-DOF exec Magno eyes 2028 Senate seat

MANILA, Philippines —  Former finance undersecretary Cielo Magno has confirmed her bid for a Senate seat in the 2028 national elections, with health care and industrial policy among her priorities.

Removed in September 2023 following her criticism of the Marcos administration’s rice price cap policy, Magno said she is keen on monitoring the national budget and ensuring adequate funding for health care.

Magno, a professor at the University of the Philippines (UP), is among petitioners who challenged before the Supreme Court the transfer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth)’s excess funds to the national treasury, which were later restored this year.

Among budget watchdogs, Magno pointed to red flags in the P7.2-trillion national outlay for 2027, including the cut in the PhilHealth budget and the ballooning Local Government Support Fund, which could be used as leverage for political patronage ahead of the 2028 polls.

Before her “termination” in 2023, Magno served for over a year as finance undersecretary for fiscal policy and monitoring group.

She holds a PhD in Law and Public Policy from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts and a master’s degree in economics from UP.

Outside the academe, Magno shares with the public her insights and commentaries through various platforms, including her podcast.

She has composed politically charged songs, such as “Tax ng Ina Mo,” “Instant Noodles” and “Kupitero.”

Magno confirmed her plans for 2028 at a forum in Milan, Italy.