It also marks the boxing icon’s return to government after concluding his term as senator in 2022.
On Tuesday, September 8, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. sworn in Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, the world’s only eight-division boxing champion in history, to a position where he will bring his fight outside the four corners of the ring.
This, as the 47-year-old sports icon was tapped by the administration to become the new Secretary and Lead Convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).
Through the said post, Pacquiao will be at helm of the government’s poverty reduction and social reform programs. He succeeds Lope Santos III, who served in the position from January 2023.
The NAPC is the government’s coordinating and advisory body for social reform and poverty alleviation and is primarily tasked with coordinating the implementation of the government’s programs.
The list includes the Social Reform Agenda (SRA), strengthening anti-poverty policy advocacy, and promoting the meaningful participation of basic sectors in governance and development.
Under Republic Act No. 8425, or the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act of 1997, the NAPC is mandated to prepare and adopt the National Anti-Poverty Action Agenda (N3A).
The President administered Pacquiao’s oath of office during a simple ceremony at Malacañan Palace in Manila.
It is also a notable move on the part of the President, as then-Senator Manny Pacquiao was his opponent in the 2022 Presidential race that Marcos won with over 31 million votes.
Moreover, the boxing legend is also the latest non-winning candidate in the 2025 midterm polls to be appointed a position within the Marcos cabinet, following now-Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino and Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos. Together with Pacquiao, the three of the ran for Senator, but all lost their bid.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s appointment also comes shortly after the NAPC’s administrative supervision was returned to the Office of the President from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
