Palace defends 27-year-old biology major given high post in poverty body

MANILA, Philippines — A college degree in biology, earned only two years ago at that, is not the kind of credential that usually comes to mind when filling a ranking position on the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP).

A fashion pictorial with the Eiffel Tower in the background hardly makes for convincing optics either.

Still, Malacañang on Tuesday defended the appointment of Zofia Canlas, who at age 27 was sworn in as PCUP commissioner on Oct. 19.

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Canlas is the daughter of Jose Marcell Canlas who, based on the online directory of the Office of the President, is an assistant secretary under the Office of the Executive Secretary.

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READ: Marcos returns NAPC, PCUP oversight to Office of the President

A 2024 biology graduate of De La Salle University, Zofia Canlas drew criticism after she posted her fashion shots from overseas trips—particularly to France, Italy, and Greece—on Instagram.

The photos, showing her in scenic or luxurious settings, triggered questions among netizens regarding her qualifications for a government job that supposedly works for the poor and pays about P2 million a year.

Addressing the detractors, Palace press officer Claire Castro said Canlas’ social status and age should not disqualify her from the position.

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‘You just haven’t noticed’

Castro also explained that “She has been there for a long time (as PCUP chief of staff). She has been with the (commission) for quite some time; perhaps you just haven’t noticed. So she is already familiar with the agency’s mandate.”

Canlas served as first nominee of the Batang Quiapo party list from October 2024 to May 2025, before becoming PCUP chief of staff in July 2025.

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“The President has always emphasized this: Regardless of your status in life, whether you are rich or poor, if you can work and serve the country, that is the number one priority for the President—to have someone sincere and dedicated to serving the nation,” the Palace official added.

She said the public should give Canlas a chance and that criticism of her performance would be valid if there had been major blunders.

Serving as a bridge

Based on its mandate, the PCUP serves as a bridge between urban poor communities and the national government, usually entering the picture when informal settlers have to be evicted from public land.

According to Castro, Canlas’ position does not require a law degree, adding: “Removing someone from office, filing a case, and handling a case require a lawyer. But negotiating on behalf of our fellow Filipinos who belong to the marginalized sectors of society does not require a lawyer. What is needed is dedication and a genuine commitment to one’s work.”

PCUP is currently chaired by Michelle Anne Gonzales. Aside from Canlas, the commissioners are Reynaldo Galupo (for the National Capital Region), lawyer Emmanuel Gison Jr. (Luzon), lawyer Bret Monsanto (Visayas), and Remedios Chan (Mindanao).Canlas’ name—along with the area of her concern—was not yet in the official PCUP directory as of Tuesday. Brush with Duterte

A government body in existence since December 1986, PCUP is no stranger to controversies.

In December 2017, then President Rodrigo Duterte sacked PCUP chair (and now Bicol Saro representative) Terry Ridon and four commissioners allegedly for taking unnecessary trips while failing to conduct meetings.

Ridon then justified the trips, saying they were Palace-approved and relevant to the commission’s work. Later that same month, Duterte called for the PCUP’s abolition.

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In August this year, President Marcos transferred the administrative supervision of PCUP, as well as the National Anti-Poverty Commission, to the Office of the President. /cb