Larry Gadon named Marcos’ adviser for poverty alleviation

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has appointed lawyer Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon as Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation.

The Presidential Communications Office on Monday said Gadon's appointment "reflects the government's commitment to address one of the most pressing challenges faced by our nation."

"He will play a pivotal role in advising the President on strategies and policies aimed at combating poverty and improving the lives of the most vulnerable sectors of society," the PCO said.

According to the Palace, Gadon will work closely with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to design and implement comprehensive programs to address the root causes of poverty.

The Marcos administration expressed belief that Gadon's experience as a corporate executive and legal counsel in diverse sectors would contribute to the formulation of innovative and sustainable poverty alleviation strategies.

Gadon ran in the senatorial elections under the UniTeam slate of then standard bearer Marcos and his then running mate Sara Duterte.

The lawyer is the second senatorial candidate of the UniTeam who was appointed to a post in the Marcos administration.

The first senatorial bet to be named to the Marcos Cabinet was Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro who was appointed secretary of national defense.

Teodoro and Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa were both appointed in early June.

The appointments came after Marcos said in early May that a reorganization could happen in his Cabinet as the appointment ban on losing candidates who ran in last year's elections ended on May 9, 2023.

He said he was  keen on appointing to certain positions some individuals who are now no longer covered by the prohibition.

Teodoro was first appointed defense secretary under the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He was the youngest to hold the position at 43.

Meanwhile, Marcos appointed former Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez Jr. as his presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation, and unity.

Galvez held the same position during the Duterte administration and before he was appointed senior undersecretary and OIC of the DND.

The PCO on Monday said Isidro Purisima was also named as senior undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity.

In a statement issued by the OPAPRU over the weekend, Galvez said he was told by the President that he had been reappointed to help in pushing forward the Bangsamoro peace process because “this is where his heart is.”

Galvez acknowledged the remarkable economic progress in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as he recommended the revival of what he described as “sealane of commerce” in the southern portion of the country.

In January 2022, the Supreme Court issued a preventive suspension against Gadon because of a viral video in which he hurled profanities against journalist Raissa Robles.

Gadon believed that the preventive suspension against him was politically motivated. —NB, GMA Integrated News