Joselito Malig

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Erik Tenedero

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751706575912cbcp.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera and Zamboanga Archbishop Julius Tonel, the newly elected president and vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) during the 130th plenary assembly in Anda, Bohol. Photo courtesy of CBCP</div><div> </div>MANILA - Filipino bishops have elected Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera as the new president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).The CBCP made the announcement on July 5, 2025, at the beginning of their 130th plenary assembly in Bohol.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/7/4/-hug-therapy-how-pope-leo-is-trying-to-unify-vatican-1135">&#x27;Hug therapy&#x27;: How Pope Leo is trying to unify Vatican</a></div>The 66-year-old prelate will succeed Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, whose second and final term as the president of the bishops&#x27; collegial body will end in November.The CBCP president and other officials serve two-year terms and may be reelected once.Garcera has been serving as <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/04/22/17/new-archbishop-of-lipa-installed">archbishop of Lipa</a> since 2017, when he succeeded Archbishop Ramon Arguelles.The new CBCP president previously chaired the Commission on Mission and the Commission on Family and Life.Garcera also served as chairman of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences’ (FABC) Office on Laity and Family and as director of the Synodal Leadership for Asian Bishops Seminar.Before becoming Lipa archbishop, Garcera served as Daet bishop from 2007.Meanwhile, Zamboanga Archbishop Julius Tonel was elected as CBCP vice president.He will succeed Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, whose term will also end in November.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/25/cardinal-tagle-s-new-titular-church-explained-1437">Cardinal Tagle&#x27;s new titular church, explained</a></div>The 68-year-old Tonel was ordained to the episcopate when he was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Ipil.In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as archbishop of Zamboanga, succeeding the late Archbishop Romulo Dela Cruz.Tonel is the incumbent head of the CBCP Committee on Bishops’ Concerns and previously served as chairman of the CBCP Commission on Liturgy.The newly elected officials will officially begin their term on December 1, 2025.

Filipino bishops have elected Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera as the new president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Filipino bishops have elected Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera as the new president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera is new CBCP president

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Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera is new CBCP president

Erik Tenedero,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 05, 2025 05:27 PM PHT

Read More:

ABSNews

CBCP

Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera

Zamboanga Archbishop Julius Tonel

Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David

Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara

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