Philip Arnold "Randy" P. Tuaño is a Filipino economist and academic administrator currently serving as Dean of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government (ASoG). Recognized for his expertise in development economics and governance studies, Tuaño has made significant contributions to the analysis of Philippine democratic institutions, fiscal policies, and socioeconomic development strategies.
Education.
Tuaño completed his undergraduate education at Ateneo de Manila University, earning an AB Economics degree in 1989. He pursued graduate studies abroad, obtaining an MA in Development Economics from the University of Sussex in 1996. Returning to the Philippines, he earned an MA in economics from the University of the Philippines in 2001, followed by a PhD in economics from the same institution in 2015.
Career.
Academic leadership.
Tuaño assumed the deanship of the Ateneo School of Government on June 1, 2022, succeeding Dr. Ronald Mendoza. His formal installation ceremony occurred on August 12, 2022, marking his return to the institution where he had previously served as faculty member. As dean, Tuaño oversees the school's graduate programs in public administration and leadership while maintaining an active research agenda.
Policy research and analysis.
Tuaño's scholarly work focuses on three interconnected domains of political economy. His research on democratic governance has documented concerning trends in Philippine political culture, including a 2025 survey revealing that 64% of Filipinos perceive significant problems with the country's democracy, primarily citing corruption and disinformation. He has analyzed the paradoxical popularity of authoritarian-leaning leaders despite documented democratic backsliding, noting that such figures often outperform other post-EDSA presidents in public approval despite their records of suppressing civil liberties.
In fiscal policy, Tuaño has provided critical analysis of major tax reforms. He cautioned that the CREATE MORE Act risked creating public perception of favoring large businesses over middle and lower income groups, drawing parallels to earlier controversies surrounding the TRAIN Law. His work emphasizes the need for balanced tax policies that maintain public trust while promoting economic growth.
Tuaño's development economics research addresses both macroeconomic strategy and human development outcomes. He has advocated for diversifying Philippine export markets beyond traditional partners, particularly recommending increased focus on the European Union, Japan, and China. His interdisciplinary approach connects economic policies with social indicators, notably highlighting the links between agricultural supply chains and nutrition outcomes in public health.
Public engagement.
As a public intellectual, Tuaño regularly contributes to policy discourse through media commentary and technical advisories. He has advocated for financial inclusion measures such as lower-denomination government securities to broaden retail investor participation. In constitutional reform debates, he emphasizes the interdependence of economic and political reforms, arguing that governance institutions must be responsive to ensure policy effectiveness. His pandemic recovery recommendations have focused on protecting vulnerable sectors while maintaining long-term development objectives.
Selected works.
Tuaño's scholarly publications include "The Political Economy of Tax Reforms in Democratic Philippines" (2018), which analyzes the implementation challenges of progressive taxation in developing democracies, and "Authoritarian Nostalgia in Post-EDSA Philippines" (2023), examining the sociological roots of democratic dissatisfaction. His 2021 study "Agricultural Policy and Nutrition Outcomes" established empirical connections between farm productivity and child development indicators.