Former senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has officially returned to public office after being sworn in on Tuesday, September 8, as the new Lead Convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), securing a seat in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet.
Images shared by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) captured the oath-taking ceremony at Malacañang Palace, where Marcos personally administered Pacquiao’s oath.
In taking on the role, the former lawmaker replaces Lope Santos III, who had led the agency since 2023.
Established through Republic Act No. 8425, the NAPC is charged with synchronizing national and local poverty reduction initiatives while ensuring underrepresented sectors have a direct voice in crafting government policies.
While President Marcos chairs the anti-poverty body himself, Pacquiao will head its operational secretariat in his capacity as Lead Convenor.
Renowned worldwide as the “Pambansang Kamao” for winning titles across eight boxing divisions, Pacquiao previously represented Sarangani in the House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016 before serving a six-year Senate term that ended in 2022.
The appointment joins former political rivals, as Pacquiao ran against Marcos in the 2022 presidential race, finishing third. Pacquiao subsequently failed to secure a return to the Senate during the 2025 midterm elections.