EXPLAINER: Who is Zofia Canlas, the new head of Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor?

Zofia Calnas made headlines for being a 27-year old fresh graduate who was named the new chief of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) — but who is she?

Canlas’ appointment garnered controversy not just for her age, but for several photos showing her various travels abroad.

According to a GMA News Feed report, Malacañang had to defend Canlas, maintaining that she had long been in the PCUP.

“Tingnan po muna natin kapag nakita ninyong nagkamali at saka po tayo pumuna,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a media briefing on October 20, 2026. (Let us see first and if we see that she makes a mistake, that is when we can criticize.)

Castro said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not look at whether a person was rich or poor when appointing someone.

“Ano man ang estado mo sa buhay, mayaman ka, mahirap ka, kung ikaw ay may kakayahan na magtrabaho, magsilbi para sa bayan, iyan po ang numero uno para sa Pangulo – ang taong totoo at dedikadong may dedikasyon na makapagsilbi sa bayan,” Castro said.

(No matter what your status in life is, whether you are rich or poor, if you can work, serve the nation, that is the number one thing for the President — a person who can truly serve and is dedicated.)

The PCUP was established in 1986 through Executive Order No. 82. The PCUP is the “direct link” between the government and urban poor communities when it comes to making policies and implementing programs that would cater to the needs of the communities.

This is where much of the controversy stemmed from: Canlas seemingly has a lavish lifestyle, but her work would deal with the poor.

Prior to her post in the PCUP, Canlas was the first nominee of the Batang Quiapo Party-list; however, she was not able to secure a seat in the House of Representatives.

According to Canlas’ LinkedIn, she became a member of the PCUP in July 2025. She was the chief of staff under then-chairperson and CEO Michelle Anne Gonzales.

Another common criticism against Canlas was her high position in government despite only graduating from college two years ago in 2024.

But Castro maintained that Canlas’ age should not be judged.

“Hindi natin huhusgahan kung siya'y bata o may edad. Kung magaling, magaling… ‘Pag ang tao, may puso, bata man, may edad, kung ang tunay na pagtatrabaho ay para pagsilbihan ang mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na yung mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan,” Castro said.

(We will not judge if she is young or old. If she is good, then she is good… If a person has heart, whether young or old, the true work is to serve the nation, especially the poorest of the poor.)

Part of the PCUP’s mandate is to consult informal settler communities so that there is proper resettlement.

Despite the PCUP dealing with court decisions on these informal settlers, Castro maintained that a lawyer is not needed for the position.

Only dedication and heart are needed for the job, Castro said. —LDF, GMA News