Bishop Varquez - The New Bishop of Tagbilaran
by Joel V. Ocampo
The Holy Father Pope Leo XIV has appointed His Excellency, Most Rev. Crispin B. Varquez, D.D., the Bishop of the Diocese of Borongan in the Province of Eastern Samar, as the new Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tagbilaran in the Province of Bohol. The appointment was announced on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 12:00NN, (6:00PM Philippine time).
Bishop Bai, as he is fondly known, was born on December 5, 1960, in Sevilla, Bohol, to Sinforiano Varquez and Justina Barrete. He studied Philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran, and Theology at the Saint Augustine Major Seminary in Tagaytay.
He received his Ordination to the Sacred Order of Presbyters on April 14, 1989, and became a priest for the Diocese of Tagbilaran. As a priest, he served in the following ministries:
Assistant Parish Priest, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro (1989-1991);
Parish Vicar, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Nueva Ecija (1991-1992);
Formator, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Tagbilaran (1992-1995 and 1996-2000);
Parish Priest, Panglao, Bohol (1995-1996);
Parish Priest, Our Lady of Lourdes in Tagbilaran and Vicar Forane (2001-2005);
Parish Priest, Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Tagbilaran (2005-2007); and
Vicar General, Diocese of Tagbilaran (2007).
On August 4, 2007, Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Borongan, succeeding Most Rev. Leonardo Y. Medroso, D.D. Then on October 18, 2007, on the Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, he received his Episcopal Ordination, with Bishop Leonardo Medroso as principal consecrator, and Most Rev. Antonieto D. Cabajog, D.D., Bishop of Surigao, and Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, D.D., the then Archbishop of Palo, Philippines, as co-consecrators. He was installed on November 8, 2007.
As a bishop, he served in the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines in the following ministries:
Member, Episcopal Commission on Catholic Education (2009-2011);
Member, Episcopal Commission on Culture (2009-2011);
Member, Episcopal Commission on Bioethics (2011- 2013);
Member, Episcopal Commission on Ecumenical Affairs (2011- 2013);
Regional Representative for East Visayas, CBCP Permanent Council (2013-2017);
Member, Episcopal Office on Women (2013- 2015);
Member, Episcopal Commission on Social Communications (2013-2019);
Vice-Chairman, Episcopal Office on Women (2015-2019);
Chairman, Episcopal Office on Women (2019-2025);
Vice-Chairman, Episcopal Committee on Basic Ecclesial Communities (2019-2021); and
Member, Episcopal Commission on Mutual Relations between Bishops and Consecrated Persons (2023-2025).
A Steward of God’s Creation
On July 23, 2026, during the Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD) meeting, Bishop Varquez joined two other Catholic bishops of Samar Island in opposing mining activities in Eastern Samar. They warned that even mineral exploration could lead to large-scale extraction, threatening forests, watersheds, farmlands, coastal ecosystems, and local livelihoods.
During the Mass for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8, 2026, Bishop Varquez urged families to teach children to protect nature. “It is about time we become aware that all of us must be involved in protecting our environment. It starts with the family,” he said. He stressed teaching children proper waste disposal and respect for nature, adding, “A family becomes a blessing when you teach your children, not the mindset on how much one can get, but about how much one can share.”
Bishop Varquez has consistently spoken out against mining activities and their potential environmental consequences. In 2021, amid calls to lift the mining ban, he warned that doing so would worsen the country’s environmental crisis. “New mining operations will only worsen our environmental crisis on top of this health pandemic… Our local experience provides enough evidence: Bagacay, Homonhon and Manicani cry out this truth,” he said.
While acknowledging that mining may provide temporary employment and economic benefits to local communities, Bishop Varquez stressed that these gains must be weighed against the long-term consequences. “Locals may be temporarily employed or benefited; but the long-term consequence of a devastated landscape is also incalculable and irreversible,” he said.
True to his role as a bishop, an ἐπίσκοπος (episkopos), meaning “overseer” or “guardian”, Bishop Varquez became a guardian of both the flock entrusted to him by the Good Shepherd, and guardian of God’s Creation.
Finally, in his Privilege Speech during the 131st CBCP Plenary Assembly, on January 25, 2026, Bishop Varquez emphasized the following:
Unity and Shared Responsibility – the bishops are called to act as successors of the Apostles, united in serving the Church and the nation.
CBCP as a Sign of Communion – the Episcopal Conference should be a place for bishops to listen, discern, and act together in fidelity to the Gospel.
Simplicity in Plenary Assemblies – CBCP plenary meetings should practice simplicity, frugality, and restraint, especially when hosted by dioceses.
Avoid Burdening Host Dioceses – bishops should avoid lavish hospitality that could create financial pressure, inconvenience, or scandal for the faithful.
Encourage Wider Diocesan Participation – moderation in hosting assemblies can make more dioceses willing and able to host future plenary gatherings.
Affordable Episcopal Conventions – conventions organized by episcopal commissions should remain simple, affordable, and focused on essential goals such as formation, participation, and mission.
Inclusivity For Smaller Dioceses – gatherings should be accessible so that less-resourced dioceses can participate fully in the Conference's activities.
Strengthen Sacramental Brotherhood – bishops are encouraged to recognize and nurture their fraternity, seeing every bishop (including retired ones) as a brother rather than a burden.
Walk Together in Synodality – the bishops should practice humility, generosity, mutual assistance, and unity as they journey together in their common vocation.
Shared Financial Stewardship – each diocese is encouraged to contribute according to its capacity (even a modest percentage) to a common fund that supports the CBCP's operations, mission, and goals.
True to his motto “Humilitas et Simplicitas”, he encouraged his brother bishops to live also in “Humility and Simplicity”. Like the Lord Jesus Christ, that for our sake He became poor although He was rich, so that by His poverty we might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
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