Archbishop Garcera assumes CBCP presidency

December 1, 2025 – 9:41 AM

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Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa on Monday officially assumed the presidency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

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.

David is currently the vice president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.

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 president also represents the Philippine Catholic Church at national and international events, including meetings with the Vatican and other bishops’ conferences.

Garcera has long been involved in the CBCP. As priest, he served as assistant secretary general and as executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Mission.

He was appointed bishop of Daet in 2007 and later chaired the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Mission and the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life.

Before his election as president, he was a member of the CBCP Permanent Council as regional representative for Southeast Luzon.

Garcera, who has been archbishop of Lipa since 2017, will work closely with Archbishop Julius Tonel of Zamboanga, the CBCP’s new vice president.

The 10 regional representatives of the CBCP Permanent Council also assumed their posts Monday.

For Luzon, they are Archbishop-designate David William Antonio of Nueva Segovia, and bishops Roberto Mallari of Tarlac, Elias Ayuban of Cubao, Euginius Canete of Gumaca, and Herman Abcede of Daet.

Representing the Visayas are bishops Marvyn Maceda of San Jose de Antique and Isabelo Abarquez of Calbayog.

Mindanao’s representatives are bishops Cosme Almedilla of Butuan, Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan, Bishop Glenn Corsiga of Ipil.

Their term runs from Dec. 1, 2025, to Nov. 30, 2027.