Palace: Pacquiao named as NAPC chief due to desire to help poor

September 9, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Boxing champ and former Sen. Manny Pacquiao was named as secretary and lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission due to his genuine desire to help the marginalized sector, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro made the remarks in a press briefing on Wednesday.

“Alam naman po natin na si dating senador Manny Pacquiao ay kung papaano siya nakasalumuha ng ibang mga kababayan natin na nasa laylayan ng lipunan. Alam natin kung papaano siya dumamay sa ating mga kababayan. Kumbaga nandoon na ‘yung ang kanyang mithiin, ang kanyang damdamin na tumulong sa nasa ilalim nga ng lipunan,” Castro said.

She went on: “Siguro doon nanggagaling ang dahilan kung bakit siya ang nai-appoint sa nasabing posisyon dahil nakikita natin na ang pagtulong ni Senator Manny Pacquiao sa ating mga kababayan ay nanggagaling sa kanyang puso, sa kanyang magandang mithiin.”

The day before, Pacquiao was sworn in as NAPC chief before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Castro had no information on the reason why former NAPC lead convenor Lope Santos III was replaced.