New urban poor commissioner has lavish lifestyle. Palace still defends her.

Groups such as Akbayan Youth says the position requires someone who has credentials and pro-people qualities, since the work entails dealing with informal settlers

The Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) just had a new commissioner, 27-year-old Zofia Canlas, and social media is not having it.

Canlas is a biology graduate from the De La Salle University in Manila in 2024, according to her LinkedIn profile, but that’s not what stood out to people on the internet. What did were her photos posted on Instagram while touring Italy, Spain, France, Greece, and the United States.

Her Instagram and Facebook accounts suddenly became unavailable as of Tuesday, October 20.

When her Facebook was still accessible, it showed photos of Canlas wearing a dress made by her sister, Ampcor Eunice Canlas, a fashion designer, in 2024. The dress was dedicated to their father, Jomar Canlas, who was described as a journalist and someone who “works now in The House of the President in Malacañang as ASEC (assistant secretary).”

“From meeting Lana Del Rey @honeymoon then straight to your Oath-taking as a Commissioner (heart emoji) Told yah October is your month my lil Cancer babe!!!

“Congratulations to our very 1st commissioner in our family, Comm. Canlas! Very proud Capricon Ate here forever (heart emoji),” Ampcor commented on her sister’s oath-taking post.

Del Rey’s recent performance was at the music festival at the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2026 last October 11.

Groups such as Akbayan Youth slammed her appointment. Critics said the position requires someone who has credentials and pro-people qualities, since the work entails dealing with informal settlers.

In a briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said that Canlas was not new in the PCUP.

Canlas has served as the commission’s chief of staff since July 2025.

Before that, she was the first nominee of the Batang Quiapo Party-list during the 2025 midterm elections. Her sister was the sixth nominee.

On October 13 and October 14, Canlas was present as a commissioner in PCUP events.

So what makes this Gen Z, who just graduated two years ago, qualified? Aside from her previous work, no other qualification was cited by the Palace spokesperson during the briefing.

“Ang Pangulo naman po, ito ang laging binabanggit at sinasabi: Anuman ang estado mo sa buhay, mayaman ka, mahirap ka, kung ikaw ay may kakayanan na magtrabaho, magsilbi para sa bayan, iyan po ang numero uno para sa Pangulo — ang totoo at dedikado, may dedikasyon na makapagsilbi sa bayan,” Castro told reporters.

(The President always says this: Whatever your status in life is, whether you are rich or poor, if you have the ability to work and serve the people, that is the most important thing for him — the person who is true and dedicated, the one who has dedication to serve the country.)

Formed in 1986, the PCUP serves as a “direct link of the urban poor to the government in policy formulation and program implementation addressed to their needs.” 

Its mandate includes conducting consultation with and preparation of informal settler families if they will be affected by development projects, accrediting urban poor groups, and monitoring demolition and eviction.

The PCUP has a chairperson and four commissioners.

For Castro, if one is impartial, it will be easy for them to fulfill their mandate.

“Ang pakikipag-negotiate para sa ating mga kababayan na nasa laylayan ng lipunan, hindi po kailangan [na maging] lawyer. Kailangan lang na may dedikasyon at may puso sa kaniyang trabaho,” Castro explained.

(One does not need to be a lawyer to negotiate with the poorest Filipinos. It only needs dedication and heart for the work.) 

Asked whether the Palace is worried about appointing someone who appears to have a lavish lifestyle, Castro just said that Canlas must be given a chance to serve. 

“Hindi natin mahuhusgahan ang isang taong hindi pa ninyo nakikita kung paano magtrabaho. Tingnan po muna natin. Kapag nakita ninyong nagkamali at saka po tayo pumuna,” she said.

(We cannot judge a person if we have not seen them working. Let’s check her work first. If we see her committing mistakes, that’s the time we pass criticism.)

Canlas’ new position has a salary of around P2 million per year, or around P173,000 per month, according to the 2027 budget documents. – Rappler.com