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Leo Tereso Magno is the new secretary of the Mindanao Development Authority and Philippine signing minister for the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia- Malaysia-Philippines—East ASEAN Growth Area
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President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. appointed Magno as MinDA chair on May 13, 2024. He took his oath of office before executive secretary Lucas Bersamin on May 21
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Prior to his appointment, Magno was Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao from November 2022
Leo Tereso Magno has been appointed as the new secretary of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and Philippine signing minister for the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines—East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. appointed Magno as the new MinDA chair on May 13, 2024. He took his oath of office before executive secretary Lucas Bersamin on May 21.
Magno replaces Ma. Belen Acosta, who was appointed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2022. Acosta recently filed a quo warranto case in a Davao court, questioning the legitimacy of the appointment of a new MinDa chair while she was still serving her term. Acosta noted that the term of office of MinDa secretary is six years (in her case until 2028) unless “removed for cause.”
Prior to his appointment, Magno was Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao from November 2022.
He started his public service in 1998 after becoming the youngest regional executive director of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and chairman of the Regional Management Council of the Department of Transportation and Communications. In this role, he led the digital transformation of LTO-Davao, a significant achievement that became a national project.
In 2010, Magno was appointed administrator and vice chairman of PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority, a special economic zone in Tagaloan, Cagayan de Oro. After his tenure at PHIVIDEC, Magno transitioned to the private sector as chairman and chief operating officer of Rizal Memorial Colleges.
In 2021, Magno was honored as one of the three recipients of the Annual Leaders and Achievers of Davao award by the Davao Jaycee Senate, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the community.
Magno completed his primary, secondary, and college education at Ateneo de Manila University, earning a degree in AB Humanities. He further pursued postgraduate studies at Irvine Valley College in California and a Masters in Educational Management at Rizal Memorial Colleges.
