The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has elected its new officials for the CBCP Permanent Council during the 130th plenary assembly over the weekend, according to the CBCP News.
The CBCP News, the media service of the CBCP, said that the new officials will serve their new term from December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2027.
Lipa Archbishop (Abp.) Gilbert Garcera, who was elected as president, will succeed Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan. David is set to complete his second and final term in November.
READ: CBCP elects Archbishop Gilbert Garcera as new president
Garcera currently serves as CBCP Permanent Council’s regional representative for Southeast Luzon. He was appointed as the archbishop of Lipa in 2017.
The other elected officials are:
- Vice President: Abp. Julius Tonel (Archdiocese of Zamboanga)
- Treasurer: Abp. John Du (Archdiocese of Palo)
- Secretary General: Msgr. Bernardo Pantin (Archdiocese of Palo)
The regional representatives are the following:
- North Luzon: Bishop (Bp.) David William Antonio (Diocese of Ilagan)
- Central Luzon: Bp. Roberto Mallari (Diocese of Tarlac)
- Southwest Luzon: Bp. Elias Ayuban Jr. (Diocese of Cubao)
- Southeast Luzon: Bp. Euginius Cañete (Diocese of Gumaca)
- South Luzon: Bp. Herman Abcede (Diocese of Daet)
- West Visayas: Bp. Marvyn Maceda (Diocese of San Jose de Antique)
- East and Central Visayas: Bp. Isabelo Abarquez (Diocese of Calbayog)
- North Mindanao: Bp. Cosme Damian Almedilla (Diocese of Butuan)
- Eastern Mindanao: Bp. Jose Colin Bagaforo (Diocese of Kidapawan)
- Western Mindanao: Bp. Glenn Corsiga (Diocese of Ipil)
Meanwhile, the elected and reelected chairmen of the CBCP Episcopal Commissions, Committees and Offices are the following:
- Basic Ecclesial Communities: Bp. Jose Rapadas III (Diocese of Ilagan)
- Biblical Apostolate: Bp. Bartolome Santos (Diocese of Iba)
- Bioethics: Bp. Jose Rojas (Diocese of Libmanan)
- Bishops’ Concerns: Abp. Julius Tonel (Archdiocese of Zamboanga)
- Canon Law: Bp. Nolly Buco (Diocese of Catarman)
- Catholic Education: Bp. Charlie Inzon (Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo)
- Clergy Ongoing Formation: Abp. Florentino Lavarias (Archdiocese of San Fernando)
- Cultural Heritage of the Church: Bp. Danilo Ulep (Prelature of Batanes)
- Culture: Bp. Ronald Anthony Timoner (Diocese of Pagadian)
- Doctrine of the Faith: Bp. Cerilo Alan Casicas (Diocese of Marbel)
- Ecumenical Affairs: Bp. Mel Rey Uy (Diocese of Lucena)
- Evangelization and Catechesis: Bp. Daniel Presto (Diocese of San Fernando, La Union)
- Family and Life: Bp. Jose Alan Dialogo (Diocese of Sorsogon)
- Health Care: Bp. Reynaldo Evangelista (Diocese of Imus)
- Indigenous People: Bp. Moises Cuevas (Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan)
- Inter-religious Dialogue: Bp. Jose Colin Bagaforo
- Laity: Bp. Severo Caermare (Diocese of Dipolog)
- Liturgy: Bp. David William Antonio (Diocese of Ilagan)
- Migrants and Itinerant People: Bp. Socrates Mesiona (Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa)
- Mission: Bp. Leopoldo Jaucian (Diocese of Bangued)
- Mutual Relations: Bp. Elias Ayuban (Diocese of Cubao)
- Permanent Diaconate: Abp. Victor Bendico (Archdiocese of Capiz)
- Pontificio Collegio Filippino: Cardinal Jose Advincula (Archdiocese of Manila)
- Postulation of the Causes of Saints: Bp. Renato Mayugba (Diocese of Laoag)
- Prison Pastoral Care: Bp. Oscar Jaime Florencio (Military Ordinariate of the Philippines)
- Protection of Minors: Bp. Dennis Villarojo (Diocese of Malolos)
- Public Affairs: Abp. Ricardo Baccay (Archdiocese of Tuguegarao)
- Seminaries: Abp. Midyphil Billones (Archdiocese of Jaro)
- Social Action, Justice and Peace: Bp. Gerardo Alminaza (Diocese of San Carlos)
- Social Communication: Abp. Rex Andrew Alarcon (Archdiocese of Caceres)
- Stewardship: Bp. Broderick Pabillo (Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay)
- Vocations: Bp. Roberto Gaa (Diocese of Novaliches)
- Women: Bp. Isabelo Abarquez (Diocese of Calbayog)
- Youth: Bp. Marcelino Antonio Maralit Jr. (Diocese of San Pablo)
- Retired, Sick and Elderly Priests: Bp. Julito Cortes (Diocese of Dumaguete)
- Committee on Synodal Transformation: Bp. Luisito Occiano (Diocese of Virac)
In a statement released on Tuesday, the CBCP stated that the bishops, during their plenary assembly, “deeply reflected” on various issues affecting the country and the world. This includes expressing concern about the delay in the Senate in proceeding with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
READ: CBCP disturbed by Senate delay in Sara Duterte impeachment trial
The CBCP affirmed that “the impeachment, when pursued with truth and justice, is a legitimate democratic mechanism for transparency and accountability.”
The organization also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing that “there is no victory in war.”
Lastly, the bishops also appealed for a dialogue among employees employers, and the government to mutually arrive at solutions to provide just wages and adequate working conditions. /apl