Lipa Archbishop Garcera begins term as CBCP President

The new Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines President, Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera assumed office on Monday, according to a CBCP News report.

"Garcera, elected during the CBCP’s 130th plenary assembly in July, succeeds Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, who served two terms of four years," the report stated.

"As president, Garcera will lead the conference, oversee its work, and serve as its main spokesperson. He heads the CBCP Permanent Council, which manages day-to-day affairs, and implements decisions made by the plenary assembly of bishops."

The head of the CBCP, the report adds, also represents the Philippine Catholic Church at national and international events, including meetings with the Vatican and other bishops’ conferences.

Garcera, as a priest, had served as assistant secretary general and as executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Mission.

Appointed bishop of Daet in 2007, he chaired the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Mission and the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, and was a member of the CBCP Permanent Council as regional representative for Southeast Luzon.

The other bishops who assumed their new posts on Monday Dec. 1, 2025 and whose terms ends on Nov. 30, 2027, include Zamboanga Archbishop Julius Tonel, as CBCP vice president.

The 10 are also regional representatives of the CBCP Permanent Council:

Luzon

Archbishop-designate David William Antonio of Nueva Segovia

Bishops Roberto Mallari of Tarlac

Bishop Elias Ayuban of Cubao

Bishop Euginius Canete of Gumaca

Bishop Herman Abcede of Daet.

Visayas

Bishop Marvyn Maceda of San Jose de Antique

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez of Calbayog.

Mindanao

Bishop Cosme Almedilla of Butuan

Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan

Bishop Glenn Corsiga of Ipil

— BAP, GMA Integrated News