Jose Bantolo


Jose Bantolo
Bishop of Masbate
ProvinceCaceres
SeeMasbate
AppointedMarch 19, 2011
InstalledSeptember 6, 2011
Term endedDecember 13, 2025
PredecessorJoel Z. Baylon
SuccessorVacant
Previous postVicar General of San Jose de Antique
Orders
OrdinationApril 21, 1986
by Raul Martirez
ConsecrationAugust 22, 2011
by Angel Lagdameo, Jose Romeo Lazo, Raul Martirez
Personal details
Born(1960-11-12)November 12, 1960
Guisijan, Laua-an, Antique, Philippines
DiedDecember 13, 2025(2025-12-13) (aged 65)
NationalityFilipino
Alma materPontifical Gregorian University
MottoVivere Christus Est
Coat of arms
Styles of
Jose Salmorin Bantolo
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Jose Salmorin Bantolo (November 12, 1960 – December 13, 2025) was a Filipino prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who at the time of his death was the bishop of the Diocese of Masbate.[1][2] He was appointed to the episcopacy by Pope Benedict XVI on March 19, 2011, and was consecrated on August 22, 2011.[1][3]

Early life and education

Bantolo was born in Guisijan, Laua-an, Antique, Philippines on November 12, 1960.[2][3][4] After completing secondary education, he pursued studies in philosophy at St. Peter Seminary and St. Anthony's College in Antique. He studied theology at San Jose Seminary in Quezon City before obtaining a Licentiate in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 2000. He furthered his studies in applied theology in Berkeley, California.[1]

Priesthood

Bantolo was ordained a priest on April 21, 1986, for the Diocese of San Jose de Antique.[2][3] He was initially a parish priest at St. Augustine Parish in Patnongon, Antique. In 1988, he was appointed rector of St. Peter Seminary in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique. In 2001, he was named diocesan treasurer and in 2007 he became the president of St. Anthony's College in Antique. Prior to his episcopal appointment, he had been vicar general of the Diocese of San Jose de Antique.[1][2][3]

Episcopal ministry

On March 19, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bantolo as the Bishop of Masbate, succeeding Bishop Joel Baylon who was transferred to the Diocese of Legazpi in 2009.[1][2][4] His episcopal consecration took place on August 22, 2011. He was formally installed in a ceremony led by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, at Masbate Cathedral on September 6, 2011.[3][4]

Within the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, he was the chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Culture from 2019 to 2023.[5][6]

Death

Bantolo died on December 13, 2025, at the age of 65.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Nomina Del Vescovo Di Masbate (Filippine)" (in Italian). Vatican Press. March 19, 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Pope appoints 3 Filipino prelates". CBCP News. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Masbate diocese has new bishop". 6 September 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Bishop José Bantolo". UCANews. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  5. ^ "Chairmen and Members of the CBCP Commissions, Committees, and Offices". CBCPNews. CBCP News. 18 December 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  6. ^ "CBCP Commissions". CBCPNews. CBCP News. 8 July 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  7. ^ "Bishop Jose Bantolo of Masbate dies at 65". CBCP News. December 13, 2025. Retrieved 14 December 2025.