Cebu bishop is new CBCP president

MANILA, Philippines - Starting December, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will have a new president, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

The 61-year-old Palma will succeed Tandag, Surigao del Sur Bishop Nereo Odchimar whose term as CBCP president ends on Nov. 30.

Palma, the incumbent CBCP vice president, will be replaced by 50-year-old Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas.

Dumaguete Bishop John Du, on the other hand, will assume the position of treasurer, replacing Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco.

Monsignor Joselito Asis has been elected as the new secretary-general of CBCP.

The CBCP elected a new set of officers during its 103rd plenary session that started yesterday.

The three-day plenary session also tackled various issues that included the Reproductive Health (RH) bill and the scandal implicating several bishops in the controversy concerning the fund mess in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Odchimar said his stint as CBCP president had been made more difficult “because of the situation and issues being raised.”

When asked if it was more difficult for the CBCP to deal with President Aquino compared with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Odchimar said it would entirely depend on the issue.

“Because up until now we are confronted with a President (Aquino) who is sympathetic to the RH bill and then there are also those issues raised during the time of former President Arroyo,” he said.

According to an article posted on the CBCP website, the president and the vice-president are elected for two-year terms and can serve for a minimum of two terms. Usually, they are reelected for their second and last term.

In CBCP history, members of the Permanent Council enjoy two terms in office, with the vice president normally succeeding the president when his term expires.