Pacquiao Appointed To Lead Philippines' Anti-Poverty Commission

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Manny Pacquiao as lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, giving the boxing Hall of Famer Cabinet secretary rank. Pacquiao took his oath in Malacañang on September 8.

The role adds to a political career that includes two terms in Congress representing Sarangani, a Senate seat won with over 16 million votes in 2016, and a 2022 presidential run that ended in a loss to Marcos.

Pacquiao, 47, has spoken about growing up in poverty, sleeping on cardboard with nothing to eat, as motivation for the new position. He's expected to hold consultations across the Philippines to coordinate poverty-reduction efforts, with Marcos citing confidence in his leadership to advance the initiative.