A former supervisor of the University’s Center for Campus Ministry (CCM) has been elected president of the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (Laiko), the umbrella organization of the country’s lay Catholic groups, on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Albert Loteyro, a member of the Holy Name Society of the Philippines, was elected to the post during Laiko’s 24th National Biennial Convention held at the University.
“We see this opportunity as a blessing, a chance to demonstrate authentic servant leadership for [the] advancements [of] the lay organization. ‘Yon ang ine-emphasize ko… [It’s] not about power and status. But it’s about our calling to serve as leaders and stewards,” Loteyro told the Varsitarian in an interview.
Loteyro will lead Laiko for the next three years, making him the first council head to serve a three-year term after the group amended its by-laws.
“If you are performing, if you have an agenda, if you have a direction, you’re not bound to how many years. Kasi kung ang programa mo ay effective, at [may] malaking impact to your constituents, the number of years doesn’t matter,” he said.
Loteyro, also a lay Dominican, was the supervisor of the CCM for 31 years, until his retirement in July.
He will begin his term in January 2026, serving also as executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on the Laity of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
“Listening, discernment, accompanying, and ito po yung gusto ko rin [gawin] ‘yong consultative decision-making. Kasi minsan nawawala ‘yon. I-emphasize ko sa board na ‘this is not mine,’” Loteyro, who previously served as Laiko’s executive vice president, said when asked about his plans for the council.
Loteyro succeeded Xavier Padilla of the Missionary Families of Christ, who had led Laiko since 2024.
The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas is composed of 56 national lay organizations and 59 archdiocesan or diocesan lay councils. – With reports from Alexandra Gabrielle C. Mansineros
