Former Sen. Manny Pacquiao has been appointed as the new secretary and lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, taking over the position previously held by Lope Santos III.
Pacquiao took his oath before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following his appointment to the government agency tasked with coordinating poverty reduction programs and supporting basic-sector participation in policymaking.
As lead convenor, Pacquiao will head the NAPC Secretariat, which helps coordinate government programs focused on poverty reduction and the participation of basic sectors in policymaking.
Pacquiao replaces Santos, who served in the position since 2023.
His appointment follows Executive Order No. 123, which placed the NAPC and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor under the Office of the President. The two agencies were previously under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
As the new NAPC chief, Pacquiao is expected to focus on strengthening measures against poverty and bringing government programs and services closer to communities.
His appointment comes as the country’s poverty incidence declined to 9.7% in 2025 from 15.5% in 2023.
The NAPC also faces the challenge of helping families who have moved out of poverty maintain their gains and addressing factors associated with intergenerational poverty.
These factors include gaps in education, health care, employment and livelihood opportunities.
Pacquiao’s new role places him at the helm of the NAPC Secretariat as the commission continues efforts to coordinate government initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and increasing the participation of basic sectors in policy discussions.
His appointment marks a new government role for the former senator and boxing champion, who will now lead the NAPC Secretariat under the Office of the President.
