The Marcos administration faces criticism and the loss of a key reformer following the “forced departure” of former finance undersecretary Cielo Magno.

Magno’s outspoken stance against recent rice price caps led to her exit, prompting concerns about the government’s reform efforts.

Action for Economic Reforms (AER), a policy group, lamented Magno’s departure, stating that the administration is missing an opportunity for positive reforms. They highlighted her technical expertise and ability to engage with various sectors.

Magno’s troubles began when she posted a chart illustrating the law of supply and demand with a price ceiling on social media, indirectly criticizing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to impose rice price caps. She captioned the post with, “I miss teaching.”

Malacañang confirmed her “termination” shortly after the post. Magno, anticipating the consequences, stated, “I knew when I posted the supply and demand graph that my boss would receive a call from Malacañang to remove me, but I did it anyway.”

Malacañang defended her removal, alleging that she aimed to “malign” the Marcos administration. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin argued that Magno had criticized government policies on social media long before the President took office.

“She has been against the policies of the administration and made it known to the public on social media long before the President even assumed office,” Bersamin said.

During her tenure, Magno worked on essential reforms, including reshaping the military and uniformed personnel pension regime and changes in the mining fiscal regime. AER asserted that her efforts aligned with the President’s statements and Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno’s directives.

Magno, an associate professor at the University of the Philippines School of Economics, holds a PhD in law and public policy from Northeastern University in Boston.

Critics like agricultural economist Mahar Mangahas raised concerns about the rice price caps, questioning their impact on supply and demand dynamics. They warned that these measures might have unintended negative consequences, such as rice shortages and decreased rice quality.

Despite these concerns, the government proceeded with the price caps, promising subsidies to small-time rice retailers to mitigate the financial impact. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual led the distribution of financial aid to rice retailers to address these challenges.