PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Noel Kinazo Felongco and Alvin San Juan Feliciano as the lead convener of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) and chairperson of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), respectively.

Malacañang made the announcement in a press conference with Palace reporters on Tuesday, November 6.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte signed Felognco and Feliciano's appointment papers' on October 31.

Feliciano will replace Felongco, who was appointed by Duterte in February as replacement of former PCUP chair Terry Ridon, who was fired in December 2017 because of alleged "unnecessary junkets" abroad.

Felongco, on the other hand, will replace former NAPC chief Liza Maza, who announced her "irrevocable resignation" in August.

Felongco served as Environment undersecretary in November 2017 and was then tapped in February to become PCUP chair before being appointed as NAPC head.

Felongco is one of Duterte's key allies who served as the latter's campaign leader during the May 9, 2016 presidential race.

Felongco was born in Davao City but spent most of his life in Cotabato City, where he finished his law studies at the Notre Dame University. (SunStar Philippines)