Davao archbishop has chance to be chosen CBCP president 

Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles is one of the front-runners to replace Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas as president of the influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Valles is currently the vice-president of CBCP.

"There were many instances in the past that the Vice President was elected as President. But there were also some instances, it did not happen," said Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Public Affairs Committee.

"Everyone is a candidate except for the retired bishops," he added.

Meanwhile, Secillano underscored that candidates do not campaign prior and during the election.

"There's no campaigning during the election. The Bishops simply write the name of who they think is capable of leading them. They invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit and they also consider the prevailing circumstances when they elect their officers," Secillano explained.

The CBCP will elect a new set of officers this weekend. The new set of officers will assume their posts on December 1.

During the campaign period, Valles was reported to have met and talked with President Rodrigo Duterte, then-mayor of Davao City.

The Davao-based prelate baptized Duterte's grandson, Marko Digong Duterte Carpio last March. — BAP, GMA News