Latest news with #CatholicBishops'ConferenceofthePhilippines
Filipino Times
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Cardinal David: Online Gambling Is ‘Modern Slavery,' Calls for Total Ban
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, former president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), stood firm on the Church's call for a full ban on online gambling, rejecting Pagcor's push for tighter regulation instead. Speaking at the 11th Philippine Conference on New Evangelization on July 18, David said the social damage caused by gambling far outweighs the financial gains for the government. He revealed that Pagcor chair Alejandro Tengco had written to the CBCP to argue that banning online gambling would lead to lost revenue for state social programs. In response, David criticized the logic, sarcastically saying that by the same reasoning, the government should also legalize harmful drugs like shabu just to earn money. David questioned the claim that access to online gambling can be controlled, especially among tech-savvy youth, and said that addiction to gambling—like addiction to social media—destroys families and erodes social bonds. He emphasized that such addiction is a form of 'modern slavery,' and the Church must be a space where people can find healing and community. Pagcor says the industry brings in over ₱100 billion in revenue and supports thousands of jobs. Still, David said profits should never justify enabling addiction, especially among vulnerable people. President Marcos has not yet declared an official position on the issue.
GMA Network
09-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Incoming CBCP president to lead new council members
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has named its new Permanent Council officials, who will assume their post in December 2025. According to CBCP News, the new officials were chosen during the bishops' 130th plenary assembly held in Anda, Bohol. Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Carcera was named the new CBCP president, while Zamboanga Archbishop Julius Tonel will serve as the new CBCP vice president. Palo Archbishop John Du and Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, meanwhile, will keep their posts as treasurer and secretary general, respectively. Ilagan Bishop David William Antonio was reelected as representative of North Luzon, while Tarlac Bishop Roberto Mallari will be the new representative of Central Luzon. Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. and Gumaca Bishop Euginius Cañete were appointed as representatives of Southwest Luzon and Southeast Luzon, respectively. Meanwhile, Daet Bishop Herman Abcede was designated as the new South Luzon representative. San Jose de Antique Bishop Marvyn Maceda and Calbayog Bishop Isabelo Abarquez are the new representatives of the West Visayas, and East and Central Visayas, respectively. Northern Mindanao will now be represented by Butuan Bishop Cosme Damian Almedilla. Meanwhile, Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo and Ipil Bishop Glenn Corsiga were named new representatives of Eastern and Western Mindanao, respectively. The newly appointed council members will hold office until December 2027 as they will serve two-year terms. The plenary assembly is the top decision-making body of the CBCP. The bishops hold regular sessions twice a year: in January and in July. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
08-07-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Filipino bishops call online gambling addiction 'bagong salot or new plague'
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday warned the faithful against online gambling, calling it bagong salot or a new plague. In a statement signed by CBCP President and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, the group of Filipino bishops described online gambling as a deep and widespread moral issue hiding in entertainment and technology. 'Sa pagsusugal ang konsensiya ay unti-unting nagiging manhid. Tinuturuan tayong isipin na ito ay 'normal,' 'pampasaya,' o 'wala namang masama',' CBCP said. (With gambling, the conscience gradually becomes numb. We are taught to think that it is 'normal,' 'fun,' or 'there is nothing wrong with it.') The prelates noted that online gambling has become a public health crisis, comparing it to illegal drugs and other addictions, as it not only destroys a person but also a family's relationship. 'Hindi natin matiis na manahimik sapagkat ang pagkasugapa at ang pagiging talamak ng sugal ay salot, isang virus na sumisira at pumapatay sa mga indibidwal, pamilya at lipunan,' CBCP said. (We cannot afford to remain silent because addiction and the prevalence of gambling are a plague, a virus that destroys and kills individuals, families and societies.) The bishops also urged the government to impose appropriate regulations on online payment systems to restrict the public, especially the youth, from using them for online gambling. The government, they church leaders said, could prioritize the welfare of the public and not to promote gambling for the income this can generate. Meanwhile, the CBCP called on the faithful to speak out against online gambling and help addicts recover. 'Hindi laban sa pagsasaya ang Simbahan pero kapag ang kasiyahan ay nagiging sanhi ng pagkaalipin, at ang 'libangan' ay nagiging dahilan ng pagkawasak ng buhay — kailangan naming manawagan at magbigay ng babala,' CBCP said. (The Church is not against having fun, but when fun becomes a cause of slavery, and 'fun' becomes a cause of the destruction of life — we must call out and issue a warning.) 'Nais naming magpa-alala na tayo'y makakaalpas sa pagkaalipin sa pamamagitan ng marangal na trabaho, at sa patuloy na pagtahak ng landas ng katotohanan, kabutihan, katarungan, at higit sa lahat sa biyaya ng Diyos,' it added. (We remind everyone that we can break free from addiction through honest work, by continuing to walk the path of truth, goodness, and justice — and above all, the grace of God.) Proposed legislations Akbayan party-list Representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Ismulla filed a measure restricting access to online gambling. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday proposed a measure that would impose strict regulations for online gambling in the country. Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a bill seeking to ban online gambling access in e-wallets and super apps in response to the growing clamor for tighter regulations on such games. Senator JV Ejercito, who earlier called for urgent and stricter government regulation of online gambling, said that he may consider pushing for its total ban depending on the results from studies. Meanwhile, Senator Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubir filed a bill seeking an outright ban on all forms of online gambling. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera elected next CBCP president
Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa has been elected as the next president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). The election took place on the opening day of the CBCP's 130th plenary assembly held in Anda, Bohol. Garcera, 66, currently serves as the Southeast Luzon representative on the CBCP Permanent Council. He will succeed Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, who will finish his second and final term this November. Garcera's term as CBCP president will span two years, with the possibility of reelection for one additional term. He has led the Archdiocese of Lipa—home to over 3.3 million Catholics—since 2017. Previously, he chaired the CBCP Commission on Mission and the Commission on Family and Life. Before becoming a bishop, he held several roles within the CBCP, including assistant secretary general and national director of the Pontifical Mission Society. Ordained in 1983 for the Archdiocese of Caceres, Garcera became bishop of Daet in 2007 before moving to Lipa in 2017. He has also held key roles in the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC). Joining Garcera in leadership is Archbishop Julius Tonel of Zamboanga, elected as CBCP vice president. Tonel will replace Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara of Pasig. Ordained in 1980, Tonel served as bishop of Ipil before becoming archbishop of Zamboanga in 2023. Both Garcera and Tonel will officially assume office on December 1, 2025.
GMA Network
12-06-2025
- General
- GMA Network
Archbishop urges youth on NYD 2025: Be a close friend in discipleship
As the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines formally begins the celebration of the National Youth Day (NYD), Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon urged the youth to become each other's 'katood,' a Bicol word which means close friend or kindred spirit. Alarcon commenced the 2025 NYD celebration with an outdoor Mass at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral on Wednesday. 'Walk, not simply because we need to walk. Walk but because we would like to show our love for God and our neighbor,' Alarcon, who heads the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Youth, said during his homily. "Let us be katood to one another,' he added. Alarcon also said one can be a close friend by sharing one's dreams, aspirations, and experiences, and by being a companion during difficult times. 'Let your friendships not simply be based on enjoyment. But let your friendships one that is nurtured in that common sense of mission and sense of purpose. Hindi lang may pinagsamahan kung hindi may malalim na pinagsamahan (not just a simple friendship but a deep attachment),' he said. With the theme 'Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer,' this year's NYD runs from June 11 to 14. According to a CBCP News report, over 8,000 delegates from 84 of the country's 87 ecclesiastical territories are participating in the celebration. Make the first, succeeding steps Alarcon also called on the youth to embody three characteristics in being disciples of Jesus Christ: courage, undying hope and perseverance. 'In the journey of life, one has to make a step. This means to walk, to jump. Do not remain in the realm of wishes and dreams. Realize. Bring things to reality,' Alarcon said. As he acknowledged that becoming disciples comes with obstacles, Alarcon reminded the youth that the 'easiest way to fail is not to try.' 'Life's journey is not simply travel. It is a pilgrimage — a journey with Jesus. And that pilgrimage, we call discipleship,' Alarcon said. 'To become victorious over skepticism, we must always take the first step. It is to walk with hope so that we may reach our destination,' he added. In 1986, the CBCP declared December 16 as National Youth Day. Since 1998, national celebrations of NYD have been held every two or three years. The Archdiocese of Cebu hosted the 2019 NYD. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NYD in the Archdiocese of Caceres was postponed in 2021. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
