Bishop Billones Named New Archbishop of Jaro

Pope Francis has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Midyphil Billones of Cebu as the new archbishop of Jaro, returning him to the archdiocese where he was ordained priest 29 years ago.

The Vatican announced Billones’ appointment on Sunday, coinciding with the feast of the patroness of Jaro and Western Visayas, Our Lady of Candles.

Earlier that day, Billones, 55, presided over a Mass at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral to mark the occasion.

He succeeds Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo, who served for nearly seven years before retiring at age 76, exceeding the mandatory retirement age of 75.

Billones’ appointment follows the installation of former Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Ruben Labajo as bishop of the newly established Diocese of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur just five days prior.

His departure leaves Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma without an auxiliary bishop as Palma himself nears retirement at 75 in March.

As the 14th archbishop of Jaro, Billones will oversee the archdiocese that includes Iloilo province and city as well as Guimaras.

Born in Panay, Capiz, Billones studied Philosophy at St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary in Iloilo City and pursued Theology at Loyola School of Theology in Quezon City, where he also earned a master’s degree.

He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Jaro on Oct. 2, 1995.

He served in various roles, including as personal secretary to Archbishops Alberto Piamonte and Angel Lagdameo.

In 2011, he earned a Doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Before his appointment as auxiliary bishop of Cebu in July 2019, Billones was rector of St. Joseph Regional Seminary of Jaro.

He was ordained bishop on Aug. 27, 2019, at Jaro Cathedral.

His installation as archbishop is expected to take place in the coming weeks.