THE CATHOLIC Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has a new set of officers, regional representatives and chairmen for its episcopal commissions and committees.
The prelates were elected or appointed during the CBCP’s 130th Plenary Assembly, held in Anda, Bohol, on July 5, 2025.
Their terms began on Dec. 1, 2025 and will last until Nov. 30, 2027.
Permanent Council
Zamboanga Archbishop Julius Tonel was elected vice president of the bishops’ conference.
He was also given charge of the CBCP Committee on Bishops’ Concerns, a post he has led since 2023.
Tonel obtained his bachelor’s degree in sacred theology from the UST Ecclesiastical Faculties in 1980.
Regional reps
Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo was designated to represent the Eastern Mindanao region.
He was also elected head of the Committee on Inter-religious Dialogue.
Bagaforo has served as president of Caritas Philippines since 2019.
He was previously chairman of the CBCP Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace.
He studied general science at the University from 1970 to 1972.
Episcopal commissions, committees and offices
Iba Bishop Bartolome Santos, Jr. was elected to lead the Commission on Biblical Apostolate.
He earned his degrees in philosophy and theology at UST.
The CBCP Office on Bioethics is now led by Bishop Jose Rojas of the Diocese of Libmanan, Camarines Sur.
Rojas was previously head of the Commission on Doctrine of the Faith.
He completed his bachelor’s degree in sacred theology, master’s degree in religious education and licentiate in sacred theology at the University.
Bishop Nolly Buco of Catarman leads the Commission on Canon Law anew.
He completed his doctorate in canon law at UST in 2004.
Batanes Prelate Danilo Ulep was reelected chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Cultural Heritage of the Church.
Ulep obtained his bachelor’s degrees in philosophy, theology, and canon law, as well as a licentiate in philosophy, from UST.
Pagadian Bishop Ronald Anthony Timoner was elected chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Culture.
He earned his bachelor’s in sacred theology from the University.
Bishop of Lucena Mel Rey Uy was reelected to the Commission on Ecumenical Affairs.
Uy studied theology at the University, where he also obtained his master’s in philosophy.
Archbishop Victor Bendico of Capiz was elected chair of the Commission on Permanent Diaconate.
Bendico took his philosophical and theological studies at UST.
Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula was elected head of the commission on the Pontificio Collegio Filippino, the residence of Filipino clerics and students studying in Roman universities.
He previously chaired the CBCP Permanent Committee on International Eucharistic Congresses.
The cardinal finished his bachelor’s degree in theology at UST and earned his licentiate in canon law at the Pontificia Università San Tommaso D’Aquino, or the Angelicum, in Rome.
Bishop Renato Mayugba of Laoag was elected chairman of the CBCP Commission on the Postulation of the Causes of Saints.
He was previously chairman of the Commission on Biblical Apostolate.
Mayugba studied in a doctorate program under the College of Science of UST from 1993 to 1995 and earned his licentiate in sacred theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines was reelected to lead the Commission on Prison Pastoral Care.
He studied theology at the University.
Malolos Bishop Dennis Villarojo was elected chairman of the Office on the Protection of Minors.
Villarojo studied theology and obtained his licentiate at UST.
Archbishop Ricardo Baccay of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao now leads the Commission on Public Affairs.
He completed his philosophy and theological studies at UST in 1986.
San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza was elected chairman of the Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace.
Alminaza pursued theology at UST from 1981 to 1984.
Bishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Daet in Camarines Norte was elected chairman of the CBCP Commission on Social Communications.
Alarcon obtained his master’s and licentiate degrees in theology at UST.
Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic vicar of Taytay, Palawan, leads the Office on Stewardship anew.
He pursued his theological studies at UST, earning a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology in 1982.
Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes was elected chairman of the CBCP Commission on Retired, Sick and Elderly Priests.
Cortes earned his licentiate in sacred theology and a master of arts in higher religious studies at the University.
Msgr. Bernardo Pantin of the Archdiocese of Palo was appointed to another term as secretary general of the CBCP.
He is a professor at the UST Faculty of Canon Law.
He finished his bachelor’s degree in sacred theology in 1984 and licentiate degree in canon law in 1986 at UST.
The 18 Thomasian prelates will work alongside the new CBCP president, Gilbert Garcera of the Archdiocese of Lipa.
Garcera and Tonel succeeded Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David and Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, who completed two terms as president and vice president, respectively, in November.
The Lipa and Zamboanga archbishops will serve a two-year term and will be eligible for reelection once.
The plenary assembly, convened in regular sessions twice a year, is the highest decision-making body of the bishops’ conference.
The CBCP is composed of 90 active bishops and 40 honorary members.
