Pacquiao said he had experienced sleeping on the streets, going hungry and surviving on nothing but water, while saving every coin he could to help his family.
Manny Pacquiao during his WBC welterweight title fight with Mario Barrios ending in a majority draw at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 19, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. – (Photo by Harry How / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
MANILA – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Tuesday appointed former world boxing champion and ex-senator Manny Pacquiao as head of the government’s anti-poverty agency, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
“The president expressed his confidence in Secretary Pacquiao’s leadership in intensifying the government’s efforts against poverty, advancing social reform, and bringing programmes and services closer to communities across the country,” Marcos’ office said.
In a statement, Pacquiao, 47, said he was grateful for the opportunity to again serve the public. Pacquiao served as senator from 2016 to 2022.
Pacquiao said he had experienced sleeping on the streets, going hungry and surviving on nothing but water, while saving every coin he could to help his family.
“That is why my heart truly goes out to our fellow citizens who are struggling,” he added. – BERNAMA