Gadon clarifies: My role as anti-poverty czar ‘more on advisory’

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential anti-poverty czar and disbarred lawyer Larry Gadon clarified that his role in the president’s Cabinet was only advisory.

When asked at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing for updates on the projects of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation (OPAPA), Gadon said that his role was primarily to provide counsel, which means he offers advice and recommendations but does not have direct authority over the implementation of projects.

READ: Strike 2 at Supreme Court for Marcos ‘antipoverty czar’ Gadon

“Well, actually, ang opisina ko kasi is more on advisory office at marami naman sa ngayon ang ginagawa ng ating adminsitrasyon, lalong-lalo na sa Department of Social Welfare and Development, sa DSWD, at marami naman ahensya, kasi bawat ahensya ay may kanya-kanyang programa ng poverty alleviation,” said Gadon.

(Well, actually, my office is more of an advisory office, and the administration has done a lot, especially the  Department of Social Welfare and Development or the DSWD, and every agency has its own poverty alleviation program.)

Pressed further on how many people the OPAPA has actually assisted, Gadon merely pointed out what the government has done as a whole.

“I cannot really claim or grab credit from the president because what we are all doing are all under the name of the president,” said Gadon.

Gadon has repeatedly found himself in hot water since being appointed as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s anti-poverty czar.

In 2023, he was disbarred for his profane, misogynistic remarks against veteran reporter Raissa Robles.

Furthermore, just this May, Gadon was found guilty by the Supreme Court of gross misconduct after committing perjury.