Manila, September 8 (AseanAll) — Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on September 8, 2026 swore in boxing icon and former Senator Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao as Secretary and Lead Convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), placing him at the helm of the government’s efforts to strengthen poverty reduction and social reform programs.
Marcos administered Pacquiao’s oath of office during a simple ceremony at Malacañan Palace on September 8.
Pacquiao succeeds Lope B. Santos III, who served as NAPC Secretary and Lead Convenor since January 31, 2023.
His appointment 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).
The NAPC is the government’s coordinating and advisory body for social reform and poverty alleviation. It is primarily tasked with coordinating the implementation of the government’s 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 N3A adopts a multidimensional approach to poverty eradication, covering the social, economic, ecological and governance dimensions of poverty and providing a framework for timely and responsive government interventions.
