MANILA, Philippines — Boxing legend and former senator Manny Pacquiao has officially returned to government service after taking his oath as the new Secretary and Lead Convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administered Pacquiao’s oath during a ceremony at Malacañang, marking the former senator’s return to public service four years after his Senate term ended in June 2022.
Pacquiao replaces Lope Santos III, who had served as NAPC lead convenor since 2023.
As NAPC lead convenor, Pacquiao will head the commission’s secretariat and hold the rank of a Cabinet secretary.
The NAPC was established under Republic Act No. 8425, also known as the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act. The commission serves as the government’s coordinating and advisory body for poverty reduction programs.
Its responsibilities include coordinating poverty-alleviation programs among national and local government agencies, monitoring their implementation, recommending policy measures, and ensuring that marginalized and basic sectors have a voice in government policymaking.
The appointment comes as the Marcos administration continues its efforts to reduce poverty in the Philippines.
Government data cited by Reuters showed that the country’s poverty rate stood at 9.7% in 2025, representing around 11.08 million Filipinos living below the poverty line. The administration is targeting a poverty incidence of 8% to 9% by 2028.
Pacquiao’s appointment has drawn attention partly because of his personal background.
Before becoming one of the world’s most successful boxers, Pacquiao experienced extreme poverty. In his new role, he has emphasized his personal connection to Filipinos who continue to struggle with poverty.
News5 reported that Pacquiao recalled experiencing hardship during his younger years, including sleeping on cardboard on the streets and going without food. He said these experiences are part of the reason his heart remains with struggling Filipinos.
His story has long been associated with his rise from poverty to becoming an eight-division world boxing champion and one of the Philippines’ most recognizable athletes. He previously served as a Sarangani representative from 2010 to 2016 before becoming a senator from 2016 to 2022.
He ran for president in 2022 but finished behind Marcos and then-Vice President Leni Robredo. Pacquiao later attempted to return to the Senate in the 2025 midterm elections but did not secure a seat.
Pacquiao’s return to public service marks another chapter in a career that has moved from boxing to politics and now to a Cabinet-level government position.
