MANILA, Philippines — Boxing legend and former senator Manny Pacquiao returned to government service Tuesday, taking his oath as secretary and lead convenor of the Philippines' National Anti-Poverty Commission, a Cabinet-level post that places him at the center of the country's poverty-reduction efforts.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administered Pacquiao's oath of office during a ceremony at Malacañang Palace on Sept. 8. Pacquiao succeeds Lope B. Santos III, who had served as NAPC secretary and lead convenor since January 2023. Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos was among those present at the ceremony.

The appointment carries real institutional weight. Under Republic Act No. 8425, the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act, whoever serves as NAPC lead convenor automatically holds the rank of Cabinet secretary, formally placing Pacquiao within Marcos' Cabinet. Marcos chairs the commission in his capacity as head of state, while Pacquiao now oversees day-to-day leadership of the commission's secretariat.

The National Anti-Poverty Commission, established under the 1998 law, serves as the government's coordinating and advisory body for implementing its Social Reform Agenda. The commission works to strengthen anti-poverty policy advocacy, coordinate poverty-reduction programs across national and local governments, and ensure that marginalized sectors have meaningful participation in government decision-making. Pacquiao's appointment follows Executive Order No. 123, signed by Marcos, which transferred oversight of both the NAPC and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor from the Department of........

© International Business Times