MANILA, Philippines—The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines has elected Tandag (Surigao Del Sur) Bishop Nereo Odchimar as new president.

Ochimar, who was elected by an overwhelming majority of bishops from 86 dioceses in the country, would succeed outgoing CBCP president, Jaro (Iloilo) Archbishop Angel Lagdameo.

Odchimar, a canon lawyer, is currently serving his first term as vice president of the bishops’ collegial body.

He was elected during the 99th Plenary Assembly of the Bishops’ Conference at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila Saturday.

CBCP secretary general Msgr. Juanito Figura said the vote was taken among the 88 active bishops at the meeting. Several of the bishops earlier expressed support for Tandag's election.

The Church leaders, as of this posting, were still selecting their new vice president, the members of the CBCP permanent council and chairpersons of about Episcopal commissions and committees.

The council acts for and in behalf of the entire conference whenever the plenary assembly, which meets only twice a year, is not in session. The body may be convened by the CBCP president at any time.

The council is also mandated to work with the commissions and assign them functions of urgent character that were not taken up in the plenary.

One of the council’s main functions is to prepare joint statements or pastoral letters of the Catholic hierarchy on matters decided upon by the plenary assembly, provided that copies are sent to other members for comment and approval before they are officially released.

Odchimar and other members of the permanent council will start serving their terms in December 2007.