Bishop who successfully blocked casino in De Oro dies

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Archbishop Emeritus Jesus Balaso Tuquib of Cagayan de Oro died on Thursday (August 1).

Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said Tuquib “passed away quietly at 5:30 p.m.” at the Maria Reyna- Xavier University Hospital here.

Tuquib served as archbishop of Cagayan de Oro for 18 years —1988 to 2006. He retired from the priestly service on March 3, 2006.

Several years after his retirement, Tuquib suffered a stroke and had been in and out of the hospital ever since.

As leader of the Catholic flock in Cagayan de Oro, Tuquib led a successful protest action against the opening of a casino in a local hotel.

Born on June 27, 1930 in Clarin, Bohol, Tuquib was ordained priest on March 14, 1959. On Feb. 24, 1973, he was appointed bishop of the Pagadian diocese in Zamboanga del Sur by Pope Paul VI. On March 31, 1984, Pope John Paul II appointed him Coadjutor Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro. On Jan. 5, 1988, Tuquib succeeded Archbishop Patrick Cronin as Cagayan de Oro prelate upon Cronin’s retirement.

Ledesma said burial details will be announced later. /TSB