Sorsogon bishop emeritus Arturo Bastes dies at 80

Sorsogon bishop emeritus Most Rev. Arturo Bastes passed away on Sunday morning, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said.

The CBCP said Bastes died at 6:30 a.m. He was 80 years old.

Prior to his stint as bishop of Sorsogon from 2003 to 2019, Bastes also served as bishop of Romblon in 1997.

He was ordained a priest in 1970.

In 2016, Bastes initiated the launch of a campaign in a bid to allot 20% of government resources to an anti-poverty fund or Serendipity fund, according to the CBCP.

He also served as chairman and president of the Philippine Bible Society in 2008.

Bastes also voiced his opinion in the past on pressing issues. In 2017, he said the complaint filed against then President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court would shed light on drug-related killings in the country.

He also said Duterte must be 'out of his mind' to threaten to abolish the Commission on Human Rights in 2017.

Bastes also voiced his opposition to mining operations especially in Albay due to environmental issues. —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA Integrated News