Pacquiao named anti-poverty chief with Cabinet rank

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has tapped boxing legend Manny Pacquiao to head the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), elevating the sports icon to Cabinet-level rank in a bid to tackle poverty across the nation.

Pacquiao, 47, will serve as the commission's lead convenor with the status of Cabinet secretary, according to an announcement from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). The appointment marks a significant return to public service for the eight-division world boxing champion, who previously held political office.

The former senator is scheduled to take his oath of office before President Marcos at Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, the PCO said. The exact timing of the oath-taking ceremony was not disclosed.

The NAPC is a government body tasked with coordinating and implementing anti-poverty programs and strategies across various agencies. Pacquiao's appointment reflects the administration's focus on addressing poverty reduction as a key policy priority during Marcos Jr.'s presidency.

Pacquiao retired from professional boxing in 2021 after a storied career that made him one of the sport's most decorated champions. His entry into the anti-poverty role comes as the Philippines continues to grapple with income inequality and poverty-related challenges affecting millions of Filipinos.