Atty. Ephraim B. Cortez, Chairman, is actively involved in causes to counter political repression and violation of human rights and civil liberties. He currently serves as Secretary Generalof the National Union of People’s Lawyers. He was a consistent delegate of the country to the sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Councils held in Geneva, Switzerland since 2011, serving as Head in 2014 and Co-Head in 2017. He also served as a Member of the Panel of Prosecutors for various causes before the International Peoples Tribunal in 2009, 2015, and 2018. He provides legal services to theNational Council of Churches in the Philippines, United Methodist Women’s Work Foundation, Decker Home Foundation, Inc., and Harris Memorial College. He obtained his AB Philosophy degree from Philippine Christian University and his Bachelor of Laws degree from San Sebastian College.

Rev. Jonathan Ulanday, Vice Chairman, is an Elder of the United Methodist Chuch. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English degree from the University of Mindanao and Master of Divinity degree from the Union Theological Seminary.

Atty. Gideon C. Salatan, Member and Corporate Secretary, is an active law practitioner, law professor, businessman, farmer, and a public servant. He teaches law at the University of La Sallete, manages Vallejo Salatan and Associates Law Offices, both in Santiago City, Isabela, and serves his first term as Senior Member of the Sangguniang Bayan of the Municipality of Cordon, Isabela (2019-2022). He is the sole proprietor of GMX Group which is engaged in realty and property leasing, air-conditioning supplies and engineering, internet, agriculture, and aquaculture. During his youth days, he served as National President of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship (2002-2004) and President of the World Methodist Council Youth and Young Adult (2004-2006). Aside from occupying various positions in the United Methodist Church, he also continues to provide legal services to various NGOs and cause-oriented groups in the Province of Isabela.

Mr. Carlito Fernando, Member and Corporate Treasurer, is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KASAPI Group of Companies which he organized in 2007. Prior to the establishment of KASAPI, he served as Program Head of Community Rural Bank (Guimba, Nueva Ecija) Inc., Area Manager of TSPI Development Corporation, and as Vice President for Operations of Advance Credit Corporation. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree from Wesleyan University Philippines and currently serves as the President of Wesleyan University Philippines Alumni Association.

Mr. Rolando Simbulan, Member, is a business entrepreneur. He founded the Simbulan Industries Philippines and the R.G. Simbulan and Partners Corporation where he currently serves as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He joined the President of the Philippines in a trip for investment promotion to Japan in May 2019. He represented the Philippines to the International Chambers of Commerce Conference for the development of new markets and strengthening trade relations in Tokyo in 2017. He was involved in international trade missions to Laos, Nepal, China, Israel, Lebanon, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand. He is an active member of the Confederation of Asia – Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Confederation of Philippine Exporters, and the Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He has continuously served the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in various capacities, including being a member of the National Board of Directors (2016-2019). At present, he is the Chairman of PCCI Committees, namely: (a) Chamber Development Institute, (b) Committee on Housing and Construction, and (c) Committee on International Relations. He was a Resource Person and Private Business Sector Representative (2005-2006) at the House of Representatives’ Review and Public Hearing on the amendments to the Magna Carta for SMEs. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering degree from the University of Santo Tomas and has received various trainings under the auspices of the European Economic Community and Hokkaido Building Engineering Association.  He attended industry-related studies at the Ateneo de Manila Professional Schools on Construction Management and the Kansai Economic Federation “Kankairen” of Japan on the Operation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Rev. Numeriano Lasco, Member, is an Elder of the United Methodist Church. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Theology) degree from Wesleyan University Philippines and a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Divinity School. He served as District Superintendent under the Middle Philippines Annual Conference and Pastor to several local churches.

Mr. Allan L. Yap, Member, provides consultancy services to individual clients from both the public and private sectors. Early in his professional life, he served as OIC Assistant Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government (2000-2001). At present, he is the Chairman of the Board of ZAMBALINK Development Corporation and EXATOM Corporation, and the President of Investwell Group of Companies. He is a sports enthusiast, being an avid golfer and tennis player. He served in the Board of Directors of Quezon City Sports Club, and is an active member of Forest Hills Golf and Country Club, Aguinaldo Golf and Country Club, Southwoods Golf and Country Club, Valle Verde Country Club, and Royal Tagaytay Golf and Country Club. He holds a Management (Bachelor of Science in Commerce) degree from San Beda College.

Dr. Priscilla Viuya, Member, is an educator and a scholar. She is the President of Ecumenical Christian College in Tarlac City, a position she assumed after her retirement as President of Tarlac State University (2006-2014). She is also the incumbent President of the Philippine Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, Universities and Seminaries. She finished her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree from Philippine Normal College, her Master ofEducation major in Curriculum and Instruction, and Doctor of Philosophymajor in Philosophy and Educational History degrees from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She is a member of the Pi Gamma Mu International Social Science Honors Society and the Shalom Club National (Israel Scholars Association).

Dr. Fernando A. Astom, Member, is a surgeon by profession. He is the current President and Chief Executive Officer of Bethany Hospital. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Santo Tomas in 1962 and his Master in Public Administration degree from the Lyceum-Northwestern University in 2013. He took his Post-graduate Training in General Surgery at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA from1963-1968. He also finished a course in Applied Anatomy at the University of Cincinnati in 1967. He was appointed as Chief Resident on General Surgery at the Good Samaritan Hospital during his final year in the United States where he submitted his Research on Thrombosis at the Peripheral Vascular Laboratory of the Good Samaritan Hospital. Upon his return to the Philippines in 1969, he joined Bethany Hospital in San Fernando, La Union.  For a time, he was the Chief Executive Officer (2002-2017) of La Union Medical Center, the first government hospital which was converted into a non-stock corporation and was awarded with the GAWAD GALING POOK Award in 2004 by the President of the Philippines. In Bethany, he helped conceptualize a Five-Year Development Plan that transformed it into what it is now—a modern hospital equipped with state of the art facilities to cater to a fast-growing and highly competitive health needs of the Province of La Union. He was the Chief Training Officerof the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC). As a community organizer, he initiated various special projects for the Province of La Union in the field of health. He is a Fellow of the Philippine College of Surgeons (1971), the Philippine Society of General Surgeons (1974), and the International College of Surgeons (1975). Among the numerous awards he received are: the Distinguished Service Award from the Bethany Hospital on May 12, 1996, and The Outstanding Filipino Physician Award by the JCI Senate Philippines and San Miguel Corporation on December 5, 2012. He served as President of the La Union Medical Society, and as member of the Board of Regents of the Philippine College of Surgeons.

Rev. Dr. Igmedio Domingo, Member, is an Elder of the United Methodist Church and currently serves as District Superintendent of the Southwest Manila District of the Philippines Annual Conference. He is also the Dean of the Cabinet for the Manila Episcopal Area. He holds the following degrees: Bachelor ofSecondary Educationmajor in Guidance Counseling from Occidental Mindoro State College, Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Union Theological Seminary, and Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Education from Philippine Christian University. He was a Principal Delegate to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2012 and Chairperson of the Division of Ordained Ministry of the Philippine Central Conference (2012-2016), as well as the Chairperson of the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Southern Tagalog Provisional Philippines Annual Conference East (2008-2012).

Judge Benjamin D. Turgano (ret.), University Presidentis an alumnus of the University of the Philippines College of Law (1980) and Baguio Colleges Foundation (AB).  He was admitted to the Philippine Bar on May 4, 1981. He served the government as the University Legal Counsel of the University of the Philippines (1981-1982); Resident Representative and Fiscal Agent of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (1986-1987); Head Executive Assistant for Legal Affairs of Senator Heherson T. Alvarez (1989-1990). He engaged in the private practice of law and was part of the law firm of Bito, Misa and Lozada (formerly Ross, Selph and Carrascoso), Emerito M. Salva & Associates, and Guerrero and Turgano Law Office.

He was appointed by President Fidel V. Ramos on December 9, 1996 as Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Ilocos Norte and presided a Special Commercial Court.

He received extensive trainings in Corporate Rehabilitation and Liquidation, Intellectual Property Laws, and Anti-Money Laundering Law under the auspices of the Supreme Court, the Philippine Judicial Academy, the USAID, the American Bar Association – Role of Law Initiative (ABA-ROLI), and the European Union.  He retired from the bench on January 31, 2018.  In the United Methodist Church, he served as the first Lay Leader of the Philippines Central Conference (2012-2016). He authored the Clergy Retirement and Pension Program of the Philippines Central Conference and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. He currently heads the National Bible Quiz Committee which is a Joint Project of the Philippine Bible Society and the Board of Christian Education and Discipleship.  He also heads the Ilokano Hymnal Committee.

Active

Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco
Resident Bishop of the Manila Episcopal Area

Bishop Francisco is the Resident Bishop of the Manila Area, which includes Bulacan Philippines, Middle Philippines, Palawan Philippines, Pampanga, Philippines, Philippines Cavite, Quezon City Philippines East, Rizal Philippines East, South Nueva Ecija Philippines, Southern Tagalog East, Southwest Philippines, and West Middle Philippines conferences in the Philippine Central Conference of The United Methodist Church.

He previously served the Davao Episcopal Area after his election to the episcopacy in 2012.

He earned his Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and has a second master’s in educational administration from the University of the Philippines. He was assigned in various local churches from 1976-2000 and 2008-2012. He also served as superintendent in the North and South Bulacan districts from 2001-2008 and was elected delegate to the 2000 General Conference.

Francisco is a member of the Council of Bishops and the executive committee of the College of Bishops; vice chairperson of the Connectional Table; chairperson of the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters; and a member of the Commission on a Way Forward. He is also president of the College of Bishops of the Philippines Central Conference.

Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan
President, College of Bishops of the Philippines Central Conference
Resident Bishop of the Davao Episcopal Area 

Bishop Juan is the Resident Bishop of the Davao Area, which includes Bicol Philippines, East Mindanao, Mindanao Philippines, Northwest Mindanao Philippines, and Visayas Philippines conferences in the Philippine Central Conference of The United Methodist Church.

He was elected to the episcopacy in 2008 and re-elected in 2012.

Juan is president of the College of Bishops, UMC Central Conferences, which consists of 19 Episcopal Areas in seven Central Conferences in Africa, Europe and the Philippines. He represented the Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops at the 2012 General Conference of the Malaysia Methodist Church in Kuala Lumpur.

Juan is vice–chair of the Clergy of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. He is also a member of the boards of trustees of Wesleyan University–Philippines, Philippines Christian University, Union Theological Seminary, Kapatiran Kaunlaran Foundation Inc., Harris Memorial College and Mary Johnston Hospital.

Earlier in his ministry, he served for 10 years as chaplain (with a rank of major) in the Philippines Armed Forces. He also organized the Philippine Emmaus Walk.

Juan received a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta.

Bishop Pedro M. Torio, Jr.
Resident Bishop of Baguio Episcopal Area

Bishop Torio is the Resident Bishop of the Baguio Area, which includes Central Luzon Philippines, Hundred Islands, North Central Philippines, Northeast Luzon Phillipines, Northeast Philippines, Northern Philippines, Northwest Philippines, Pangasinan Philippines and Tarlac Phillipines conferences in the Philippines Central Conference of The United Methodist Church.He was elected to the episcopacy in 2012.

He currently represents the Philippines Central Conference in the Commission on Central Conference Theological Scholarship and Continuing Education Financial Assistance Funds for the Baguio Episcopal Areas. He is also the bishop assigned to the Philippines Central Conference Division of Ordained Ministry, Council on Finance and Administration, and the University Senate. He presently leads the University Senate in developing the first Accreditation Standards for United Methodist theological education institutions.

During the 2016 General Conference, he was nominated and voted director of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries for 2017-2020.

His passion for evangelism and church planting led to the creation of 28 new local churches in the Baguio Area during the 2013-2016 quadrennium.

Torio has a rich background in education, having served as Dean at both World Citi College and Aldersgate Divinity School, Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Eastern Pangasinan, and as a Visiting Professor at Wesley Divinity School and John Wesley College Divinity School. He has served as President of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship in the Philippines at the district, conference and national level. Until now, ministering to young people is still a priority for him.

He holds a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology from Duke University Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Divinity School.

Retired

Bishop Daniel C. Arichea, Jr.

Bishop Arichea was born in San Narciso, Zambales, Philippines, to Daniel Arichea Sr. and Tarsila Castillo, both public school teachers. The schools he attended include the University of the Philippines for his pre-law, Union Theological Seminary for his Bachelor of Theology degree where he graduated as magna cum laude, and Duke University for his M.R.E. and Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies. He also studied linguistics at Ohio State University and was a visiting scholar at Princeton Theological Seminary.

He served churches in Bataan and Manila before joining the faculty of Union Theological Seminary as a teacher of New Testament. He later joined the United Bible Societies as a translation consultant, and served in that capacity in the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. In 1987, he moved to Hong Kong, SAR, P.R. of China to assume the office of Regional Transition Coordinator for the Asia-Pacific Region, a position which he held until his election to the Episcopacy (in absentia) in November 1994.

While serving as resident bishop of the Baguio Episcopal Area from 1994 to 2000, he also held the following positions: Vice-chair of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), 1995-1997; Chair of NCCP, 1997-1999; President and Chair of Philippine Bible Society, 1997-1998; honorary translation adviser of United Bible Societies, 1995 to present; and member of Roman Catholic-Methodist International Commission, 1996-2000.

Bishop Arichea is the author of four commentaries primarily written for translators: Galatians (with Eugene A. Nida), 1 Peter (with Eugene A. Nida), Jude and 2 Peter (with Howard A. Hatton), and the Pastoral Letters (with Howard A. Hatton). He has also written many articles on Bible translation, which were published in The Bible Translator.

Bishop Jose C. Gamboa, Jr.

Bishop Gamboa,the son of Rev. José and Guadalupe Castro Gamboa, was born in Cabanatuan City, Philippines. His father served in the ministry for 46 years while his mother as deaconess and later as local pastor.

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Philippine Wesleyan College, his Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC, and his Doctor of Education at Centro Escolar University, Manila. From his senior year in high school up to his studies at Wesley Seminary, Bishop Gamboa was a scholar of Bishop Fred P. Corson of the Philadelphia Area.

He served as local pastor, then was ordained deacon and elder by Bishop José L. Valencia. In 1962, he was appointed to the faculty of Philippine Wesleyan College in Cabanatuan City while in 1969, he was called to teach at Union Theological Seminary, Manila. In 1974, he was appointed Director of the Theological Education by Extension program of the seminary, and in 1977, he received his appointment as Professor of Christian Education.

He served as Director of the Division of the Ordained Ministry, Philippine Central Conference, from 1971 to 1980. He also served as Chairperson of the Committee on Non-Traditional Styles of Theological Education of the Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA), and is a member of the F. and A.M. Cabanatuan City Lodge No. 53.

In June 20, 1986, Bishop Gamboa was elected as bishop by the adjourned session of the Twelfth Session of the Philippines Central Conference in Knox Memorial United Methodist Church, Manila, on the birthday of his wife, Edita Gamboa. He was consecrated on June 21, 1986.

Bishop Benjamin A. Justo

Bishop Benjamin A. Justo received his degrees on Secretarial Science, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary, Master of Theology at Southeast Asia Graduate School of Theology, and Doctor of Ministry at Union Theological Seminary. He is also currently a Doctor of Education candidate at De La Salle University, Manila.

Bishop Justo was a local pastor for 12 years at Cagayan de Oro, Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Bayombong and Solano, Nueva Vizcaya Chaplain, Children’s Garden, and Taytay, Rizal. He was also a College Director and President at Aldersgate College at Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, District Superintendent for six (6) years in South Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino, and Dean of Academic Affairs for (8) years at Union Theological Seminary-Philippines (UTS). Moreover, he was a Part-time Professor at the Graduate School of Education at PCU Cavite Exchange, Pastor at Tarzana, CA, USA, President of Methodist Youth Fellowship Mindanao from 1959-1961, Member of the Evangelistic Team, NVQIW, UMC, from 1971-1978, and Principal Delegate to the Philippines Central Conference from 1972- 2000.

In addition, he has served as Chairman of NPAC Board of Discipleship, 1974-1978; member of Board of Trustees of Eveland College in Isabela, 1981-1984, Vice Chairman of Board of Education, 1984; Principal Delegate to the General Conference, 1984; Member, PCC Coordinating Council, 1984-1988; Member, Connectional Process Team, General Conference, 1996-2000; Chaplain for 5 years, Magat Lodge 68 F&AM, 1971; Chair, Board of Trustees, Quirino Province Livelihood and Development Center, Inc, 1984-88; Chair, Board of Trustees, Nueva Vizcaya Rural, Socio-Economic and Religious Life, Inc., 1985-87; Vice-Chair, Northern Luzon Ecumenical Council, 1985-87; Coordinator, South East Asia Graduate School of Theology, Philippine Area, 1990-96; Member, Philippine Theological Society, 1988-2000; Affiliate Member-Officer, PCCL University Church, Dasmarinas, Cavite, 1990-2000.

In Dec. 16, 2000, Benjamin A. Justo was elected to the episcopacy from the Northeast Philippines Annual Conference on the 7th Ballot during the 2000 PCC Session. He was assigned to serve the Baguio Episcopal Area until his retirement in 2008.

Bishop Emerito P. Nacpil

Bishop Nacpil was born in Tarlac, the Philippines. Beginning with student appointments, Bishop Nacpil served local churches. He was ordained both deacon and elder by Bishop José Valencia and joined the Philippines Annual Conference.

For his education, he received a Bachelor of Theology from Union Theological Seminary in the Philippines and a Bachelor of Arts from Philippine Christian College. He also received his Doctor of Philosophy at the Drew University in the United States of America.

Returning home, Bishop Nacpil took up responsibilities at Union Theological Seminary. From a Professor, he was promoted to Academic Dean, and then became its President. He also became the Chairman of the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Middle Philippines Annual Conference.

In 1974, Emerito Nacpil was named Executive Director of the Association of Theological Schools in Southeast Asia and Dean of the Southeast Asia Graduate School of Theology, the positions he was holding when the Philippines Central Conference elected him to the episcopacy in November 1980. He had been Chairman of the Commission on Church Structure of the Philippines Central Conference for the past two quadrennia. Bishop Nacpil has also been very active in ecumenical affairs, serving on both the Faith and Order Commission and the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches.

Bishop Nacpil was assigned to the Manila Area where he administered the Mindanao Annual Conference, the Philippines Annual Conference and the Southwest Philippines Provisional Annual Conference. He retired in 2001.

Bishop Leo A. Soriano

Bishop Leo A. Soriano grew up in a parsonage with his father being a Methodist minister. When he was still young, his father became one of the pastors in Mindanao, the southern part of the Philippines. At that time, Mindanao is still considered a frontier area in terms of mission work. As his father could not send him to school, Leo went to live with his grand aunt who supported his going to school from high school until he finished college. He finished seminary training at Union Theological Seminary, where he graduated cum laude and president of his class.

After being assigned to several local churches, he entered a college of medicine to pursue his medical studies. After graduating from the college and passing the medical board exam, Bishop Soriano opted to serve the poor and less privileged in the mountains and rural areas of war-torn Mindanao. After briefly serving as District Superintendent, he was assigned Person-in-Mission in Health Ministries of the Davao Episcopal Area. He also directed the mobile medical-dental clinic. He traveled to the villages in the mountains and depressed areas with his staff by horseback, motorcycle, walking, pump boat, paddle canoe, and carts pulled by caribou.

He was assigned as administrative assistant to Bishop Paul Locke Granadosin the year before he was elected to the episcopacy in 2000. Re-elected for a second term in 2004, he was assigned to serve the Davao Episcopal Area from 2001-2004 and 2005-2012.

Bishop Solito K. Toquero

Bishop Toquero was born in a small barrio in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. He graduated from Wesleyan University-Philippines with an A.B. degree and earned his Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Union Theological Seminary-Philippines (UTS), magna cum laude. He earned his D.Min. degree from Christian

Theological Seminary.

Solito entered the ministry as a pioneer among Ilocano settlers in a virgin forest in Aurora, Philippines. He served there for four years while taking his AB degree from Wesleyan University. He was then assigned to several local churches in central and southern Luzon while finishing his degree from UTS.

Upon his return from the United States, where he finished his D.Min. degree, he became the field person for the Theological Education for Extension Program in UTS, supervising seminars and lectures all over the country. He also served as Field Education Director for two years at UTS, then returned to the local church as administrative pastor in Bulacan and Manila. He was sent as a missionary to Hong Kong, SAR, P.R. of China and ministered to more than a thousand overseas Filipino workers for more than four years.

Solito was elected to the episcopacy in 2001, assigned to the Manila Episcopal Area, and was reelected in 2004. He served the Connectional Table as the President of the Commission on Archives and History. He retired from the active episcopacy in 2008.