President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expects newly appointed National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) lead convenor Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao to advance social reform and bring the national government’s anti-poverty initiatives closer to marginalized communities.
The Chief Executive relayed his message to the former senator and world champion boxer during Pacquiao’s official oath-taking as Cabinet secretary and NAPC lead convenor at Malacañang on Tuesday. Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos was also present during the ceremony.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said President Marcos expressed full trust in Pacquiao’s leadership to drive the administration’s social agendas.
“Ipinahayag ng Pangulo ang kanyang tiwala sa pamumuno ni Secretary Pacquiao sa pagpapaigting ng mga pagsisikap ng pamahalaan laban sa kahirapan, pagsusulong ng repormang panlipunan, at paglalapit ng mga programa at serbisyo sa mga komunidad sa buong bansa,” the PCO said in a statement.
(The President expressed his confidence in Secretary Pacquiao’s leadership in intensifying government efforts against poverty, advancing social reform, and bringing programs and services closer to communities nationwide.)
Pacquiao succeeds Lope Santos III as head of the commission.
The appointment follows the decision to return administrative supervision of NAPC to the Office of the President in August, a move aimed at strengthening policy coordination and ensuring greater convergence among poverty reduction and urban development programs.
Pacquiao, a former senator, former Sarangani representative and the world’s only eight-division boxing champion, expressed gratitude to President Marcos for the opportunity to re-enter public service.
Sharing his motivation, Pacquiao emphasized that he understands the realities of poverty firsthand.
“I came from poverty. I experienced sleeping on cardboard on the streets, drinking only water, having nothing to eat, and saving loose coins just to help my family,” Pacquiao shared, noting that he has long extended personal assistance—such as free housing, medical missions, and educational scholarships—to struggling families.
“Kaya ang puso ko, naroroon talaga sa mga kababayan nating naghihirap,” he added. (That is why my heart truly goes out to our fellow citizens who are struggling.)
Pacquiao pledged to leverage his new position to ensure that vulnerable sectors directly benefit from state-backed anti-poverty measures, emphasizing that his tenure will focus strictly on genuine public service rather than politics.
Under Republic Act No. 8425, or the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act, NAPC is mandated to institutionalize social reform and bottom-up planning, ensuring that government services uplift marginalized groups. The commission focuses on 14 Priority Basic Sectors, including farmers, artisanal fisherfolk, formal and informal workers, indigenous peoples, women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, urban poor and youth.
Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon welcomed Pacquiao’s appointment, describing it as timely as the administration pushes to further reduce poverty incidence across the country.
“The NAPC, with the right direction, could help more to achieve the poverty reduction efforts,” Gadon said. “Si Manny, may puso sa mga mahihirap.” (Manny has a heart for the poor.)