Who is Zofia Canlas, the 27-year-old new urban poor commissioner?
The appointment of 27-year-old Zofia Canlas as commissioner of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor has drawn sharp public criticism, with critics questioning her qualifications and pointing to social media posts depicting "lavish" travels abroad.
Canlas took her oath as commissioner on Oct. 19. Prior to her appointment, she served as chief of staff to PCUP Chairperson Michelle Anne Gonzales since July 2025.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Canlas graduated from De La Salle University in 2024 with a degree in Biology, majoring in Medical Biology. She also served as the first nominee for the Batang Quiapo party-list during the 2025 midterm elections, though the group failed to secure a seat in the House of Representatives.
She comes from a family with ties to government service; her father, Jose Marcell Canlas, is listed as an assistant secretary under the Office of the Executive Secretary in the official online government directory.
Following her designation, social media users questioned whether Canlas possesses sufficient professional experience for a high-ranking agency role just two years after graduating from college. Attention was also drawn to her social media accounts, which featured trips to luxury destinations such as Italy, Spain, France, Greece, and the United States.
Amid the growing scrutiny, Canlas has deactivated her Instagram account.
Malacañang defends her appointment
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In a press briefing on Oct. 20, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro defended Canlas' appointment, emphasizing that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. considers a person's ability and commitment to public service rather than their age or socioeconomic background.
"Ang mga kabataan, hindi natin huhusgahan kung siya'y bata o may edad. Kung magaling, magaling," she said, highlighting Canlas' prior service within the agency.
"'Pag ang tao may puso, bata man, may edad, kung ang tunay na pagtatatrabaho ay para pagsilibihan ang mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na 'yung mga nasa lelayan ng lipunan," Castro continued.
Addressing concerns regarding Canlas' personal background and high-end travels, Castro reiterated that a person's background should not automatically be held against them.
"Ang Pangulo naman po, ito ang laging binabanggit at sinasabi: Anuman 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 totoo at dedikado, may dedikasyon na makapagsilbi sa bayan,” she said.
Per the Department of Budget and Management, the PCUP has a 2026 budget of approximately P250 million. Canlas, along with three other commissioners, will be compensated about P2 million from this amount.
The agency coordinates with national and local government agencies to address concerns affecting urban poor communities, including informal settler families facing eviction or demolition.
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