CBCP names Cubao bishop, priest to National Tribunal of Appeals

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has designated Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. and Fr. Bryand Restituto as officials of the National Tribunal of Appeals, which hears appeals in canonical cases from diocesan tribunals.

According to a news article on CBCP News, the CBCP Permanent Council approved the appointments of Ayuban as bishop moderator and Restituto as judicial vicar in a meeting on November 19.

Their appointment letters were later issued on November 21. Both Ayuban and Restituto are canon lawyers.

The National Tribunal of Appeals accepts, reviews, processes, and decides appeals on marriage nullity, conjugal separation, and contentious penal issues.

As moderator, Ayuban is responsible for administrative oversight and vigilance over the tribunal in accordance with the instruction Dignitas Connubii, which tackles the nullity of marriage.

Meanwhile, Restituto, as judicial vicar, will serve in accordance with CBCP statutes governing the national appellate tribunal.

Prior to his appointment, Ayuban worked at the Vatican’s Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

For his part, Restituto is presently the assistant secretary general of the CBCP. He previously served as an associate judge of the Marriage Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Palo and later as its judicial vicar. — JMA, GMA Integrated News