The Obispo Máximo is head of the Executive Commission of the Church, the highest Council

consisting of clergy and lay people, which works to administer and oversee the Church. As such
he is charge of the administration of the church, and among his duties are: to set the agenda of all
meetings of the General Assembly and the Executive Commission; to recommend candidates to
fill positions to the General Assembly or the Executive Commission if the former is not in
session; to decide on leaves and retirement of personnel; to authorize expenses in accordance
with the approved budget; and to supervise the clergy and laity in matters of discipline

He shall be the representative and spokesman of the Church with respect to its external affairs;
provided, however, that in the case of a stand of the Church on national issues, he shall consult
the Executive Commission; and provided, further, that on issues concerning faith and morals, he
shall consult the Supreme Council of Bishops. He shall prepare annual reports to the Executive
Commission and to the General Assembly,respectively, on the work and activities of the Church.
He shall execute and sign on behalf of the Church all contracts, deeds and other instruments
necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the Church and in accordance with the
stipulations of the Executive Commission or General Assembly. Upon the termination of this
incumbency, the Supreme Bishop shall continue to enjoy by honors, privileges and emoluments
equal to twice the pension of a bishop; provided, however, that he has not been removed from
the office for cause; and provided, further that, if he chooses to serve in another capacity in the
Church, he shall choose only one compensation beneficial to him. In case of temporary absence
or incapacity of the Supreme Bishop, he shall designate from among the Bishop-members of the
Executive Commission one who shall serve as officer-in-charge of the Church during such
temporary incapacity or absence. In the event of death or permanent disability of the Supreme
Bishop, the senior bishop-member of the Executive Commission, based on the dates of
consecration shall automatically act as Officer-in-Charge of the church; provided, however, that
if two or more have been simultaneously consecrated, the basis of selection shall be seniority in
age; provided, further, that, within two weeks of such death or permanent disability, the
Executive Commission shall effect an interim Supreme Bishop from its bishop-members; and
provided, still further that, within thirty (30) days of the death or disability, the Executive
Commission shall convene the General Assembly for the election of the Supreme Bishop.

List of Obispos Máximos

I. Gregorio Aglípay y Labáyan D.D.

 Date of Birth: May 5, 1860.

 Birthplace: Batac, Ilocos Norte.
 Education: A.B. at University of St. Tomas (UST), 1881; Theology at UST, 1883 and in
Vigan,1887.
 Priesthood: December 26, 1889 at Sto. Domingo Church, Intramuros, Manila.
 Proclaimed Obispo Máximo: August 3, 1902, Manila.
 Consecrated Bishop: January 18, 1903, Tondo, Manila.
 Doctor of Divinity. Meadville Theological School, Chicago, USA, 1931.
 Term of Office: 1902-1940 (Inaugural holder)
  Died: September 1, 1940 in Manila.

- Ecclesiastical Governor of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia, (Roman Catholic Church).

- Vicar General of the Revolutionary Government, appointed by Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo.
- Convener of the Filipino Ecclesiastical Council (Paniqui Assembly), in response to
Mabini’s manifesto urging the Filipino clergies to organize a Filipino National Church.
- Member of the Malolos Congress, the lone member coming from the religious sector
though he represented his province Ilocos Norte.
- Guerilla Leader of Ilocos Norte during the Filipino-American War with the rank of Lt.
General.
- The “Martin Luther of the Philippines”.
- One of the National Heroes of the Philippines, considered as the “Most Colorful
Filipino Revolutionary Hero.”
- Freemason at Lodge Magdalo in Cavite (now known as the Emilio Aguinaldo
Memorial Lodge No. 31, under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of
the Philippines).
|}

 Accomplishments:

- Obispo Máximo Aglipay’s leadership is excellent. For more than 40 years (Paniqui
Assembly of 1899 until September 1940), he inspired the Ilocano clergy to become
bishops of the IFI all over the Philippines. With the lay people, he helped established
parishes and missions.
- Obispo Máximo Gregorio Aglipay charted the course of the nascent Church in an epoch
of strong nationalism and critical opposition to US domination. Consequentially, the
Church espoused a theology that approached religion in a nationalistic and scientific
way. The Church has expressed in its rituals, music, and worship the enduring aspiration
of the Filipinos for national democracy. Obispo Máximo Aglipay likewise earned the
reputation of cooperating with Filipino socialists and communists in his many political
endeavors, and supported peasant uprisings and continuous political resistance to the
colonial structure.
- He challenged the established Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant
Missionary in serving the Filipino people through the nationalist Church. The
vilification and discrimination campaigns against the IFI; the demoralization of the early
adherents of the IFI because of the Supreme Court decision in 1906 of reverting backed
the church buildings and other properties to the Roman Catholic; and, the exodus of the
IFI members to the Protestant churches were concrete problems that need firm power and
authority. He exercised this authority and might, with the full support of his trusted
bishops and lay leaders.
- On March 28, 1931, Bishop Aglipay with Bishops Isabelo de los Reyes, Jr. and
Santiago Fonacier left the Philippines for Boston to attend the Annual Convention of the
Unitarian Association. The party was feted in almost every large city of America by
various local groups of Unitarians. The Unitarian Convention passed resolutions for
Philippine Independence and admitted the IFI to the International Association of Liberal
 Christianity. Bishop Aglipay was also given an honorary degree by Meadville
Theological School in Chicago with Doctor of Divinity.
- In his time, the Aglipayan Church was one of the largest religious groups in the
Philippines prior to the growth of several sects and religion in the country. The
Philippine Independent Church embedded love of country to its members and
encouraged them to emulate the lives of our national heroes. He prioritized the interest
of the church over and above personal needs. It is an open reality that Obispo Máximo
Aglipay at the time of his death, he had no properties of his own that can be preserved
as memorabilia.

 Famous statements:

- "If you say that I founded the IFI, that is a misleading statement, because our church
was founded by the Filipino People as a product of their desire for liberty - religiously,
politically, and socially, I was one one of the instruments of its expression."
- “…the Iglesia Filipina Independiente will go on, and neither the Pope nor the Jesuits
now and hereafter will be able to impede it…”
- “…beneath their robes, they are Filipinos” , (justifying the participation of the clergy in
the activities that spearhead or advocate independence).
- “Ah Liberty! Its worth is understood only when it is lost; it can only be loved in the
‘saddest darkness of prison cells.
A free man is a complete man, dignified, honorable, of lofty sentiments, attended by all
his rights and by his unavoidable duties as well; but a man who becomes a slave of his
own free will is a man with a vile heart, a deceitful, abject psychopath – a person, in
short, deserving of pity.
We are born with the right to think freely and express our thoughts according to the light
of reason which the Divinity has given us; we are born with the right to associate freely
with those we choose for the purpose of our own perfection and needs; we are born with
the right to govern our own persons, our families, home and birthplace; we are born in
short, with the right to do freely whatever is our own pleasure so long as we do not
violate the liberty and rights of others." - The Sixth and last Fundamental Epistle, August
17, 1903.

II. Santiago Antonio Fonacier y Suguítan

 Date of Birth: May 21, 1885.

 Birthplace: Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
 Educational Attainment: A.B., Escuela Docente de Laoag, 1900.
 Episcopate: January 12, 1933, Tondo Cathedral, Manila.
 Elected Obispo Máximo: October 14, 1940, Tondo Cathedral, Manila.
 Term of Office: 1940-1946
 Died: December 8, 1977 in Pasay City.
 Also known as:

- Founder & Editor of La Lucha, a Spanish Periodical.

- Translator of Rizal’s two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in Ilocano.
 - Representative of the First District of Ilocos Norte, 1912.
- Senator for the First Senatorial District of the Philippines, 1919.
- Member of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines.
- Member of the Philippine Independence Mission to the United States.
- Member of the Institute of National Textbook Board.
- Member of the Institute of National Language, appointed by Pres. Manuel L. Quezon.

 Accomplishments:

- Bishop Santiago Fonacier was elected Obispo Máximo by the General Assembly in
October 1940, a month after Obispo Máximo Aglipay passed away. He would lead the
Church during the four years of Japanese occupation of the country.

 After Office

- He seceded the IFI in 1955 and founded the Independent Church of Filipino Christians
when the court declares Bp. Isabelo delos Reyes Jr. as the legitimate leader of the IFI. On
June 26, 1973, a Memorandum of Agreement between the IFI and ICFC was signed by
Obispo Máximo Macario V. Ga for IFI and Obispo Máximo Vicente K. Pasetes of ICFC.
This signing paved the way for the return of O.M. Santiago Fonacier to the IFI. A solemn
mass of reconciliation was held at the National Cathedral on March 24, 1974,
culminating the reunification of the two churches.

III. Gerardo Bayaca y Medina

 Date of Birth: September 23, 1893.

 Birthplace: Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
 Educational Attainment:

- A.B., Philosophy & Theology, Vigan Seminary.

 Priesthood: June 6, 1919 (Roman Catholic).

 Joined the IFI: October 1933.
 Elected Obispo Máximo: January 22, 1946, Maria Clara Christ Church, Sta. Cruz,
Manila.
 Term of Office: January – September 1946.
 Died: December 1975 in Botolan, Zambales
 Accomplishments:

- Successor of O.M. Santiago Fonacier.

IV. Isabelo de los Reyes, Jr. y López Ph.D., D.D.

 Date of Birth: February 14, 1900.

 Birthplace: Barcelona, Spain.
 Priesthood: September 24, 1923, Maria Clara Christ Church, Sta. Cruz, Manila.
  Episcopate: January 23, 1925, Maria Clara Christ Church, Sta. Cruz, Manila.
 Elected Obispo Máximo: September 1, 1946, Maria Clara Christ Church, Sta. Cruz,
Manila.
 Bestowal of Apostolic Succession: April 7, 1948, Episcopal Pro-Cahedral of St. Luke,
Binondo, Manila.
 Re-elected Obispo Máximo: September 1, 1949; 1953; 1951; 1957;1961; 1965; 1969.
 Term of Office: September 1946 – October 1971.
 Died: October 10, 1971 in Manila.
 Also known as:

- Father of Ecumenism in the Philippines, with marker from the National Historical
Commission of the Philippines.

 Accomplishments:

- In the three decades that would follow, under the competent leadership of Bishop
Isabelo de los Reyes as the fourth Obispo Máximo (1946-1972), the Church would
concentrate on developing and nurturing its institutional life. Bishop de los Reyes
strengthened the theological position of the Church.
- He ushered in the forging of concordat relations with various Churches in many
countries,first on the list was with the Protestant Episcopal Church of U.S.A. (PECUSA);
and sought membership in national and international ecumenical bodies such as the
National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Christian Confernce in Asia, the
Anglican Communion, and World Council of Churches.
- Obispo Máximo Isabelo de los Jr. took the helm for the construction of the new
National Cathedral (the Cathedral of the Holy Infant Jesus along Taft Avenue, Manila)
to supplant the Cathedral in Tondo that was destroyed during the War.

V. Macario Ga y Vilches D.D.

 Date of Birth: April 10, 1913.

 Birthplace: Buenavista, Guimaras.
 Educational Attainment:

- A.A., AB Pre-Law, Siliman University, 1933.

 Deaconiate: April 10, 1934, Tondo Cathedral,Manila.

 Priesthood: May 8, 1934, Tondo Cathedral, Manila.
 Episcopate: January 22, Ma. Clara Christ Church, Manila.
 Bestowal of Apostolic Succession: September 1, 1948, La Paz, Iloilo.
 Elected Obispo Máximo: November 1971.
 Re-elected: May 1973, 1977.
 Term of Office: 1971-1981
 Died: April 7, 2002 in Bacolod City.
 Accomplishments:
 - The 1972 General Assembly elected Bishop Macario Ga as the fifth Obispo Máximo
(1972-1981). His leadership was challenged by the general political situation in the
country during the martial law years. It was a period that witnessed the growing
militancy of most of the grass-root oriented clergy and youth who sought to bring new
life to the national and democratic heritage of the Church. During this infernal phase of
the country’s history, the Church moved towards a progressive stance with regards socio-
political issues.
- He rode in the flatform of stabilizing the church financial condition, reconciliation with
the separated brethens, Christian Stewardship, and securing ownership of church lots and
properties.
- During his term, a fund raising campaign was initiated for the building of Aglipay
national Shrine in Batac, Ilocos Norte. President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady
Imelda Marcos attended the inauguration as the Principal Sponsor, held on September
1977.
- He also accepted the return into the IFI the Philippine Unitarian Church (PUC)
headed by Camilo V. Gruspe in a fitting ceremony held at Urdaneta, Pangasinan. PUC
was an IFI splinter founded by Msgr. Pedro Aglipay on September 4, 1955; who later
organized another church, the Christ Jesus Holy Church in 1958.
- The adoption of a new Constitution and Canons in 1977 marked another important
milestone in the institutional life of the Church. It opened the doors for the empowerment
of lay people and greater participation in the governance of the Church. It strengthened
the institutional foundation of the life and work of the Church with the implementation of
various programs on education and skill enhancement, stewardship and resource
generation and organizational consolidation.
- During his term, two Regional Seminaries were opened in June 1980, these were the
IFI Theological Seminary (presently Aglipay Central Theological Seminary) at Urdaneta,
Pangasinan; and the IFI Regional Seminary at La Paz, Iloilo (presently St. Paul
Theological Seminary in Guimaras).

 After Office:

- He, with his supporters refused to concede to his defeat during the May 1981 election
and formed a new church, they illegally registered Iglesia Catolica Filipina Independiente
(ICFI), another legal name of the IFI. This new church sapped the strength of the church
as it infused confusion and division among Aglipayan faithful.
- In February 4, 1994 he voluntary return to IFI, his reconciliation led to the signing of
the memorandum of Agreement thus paving the way for the mass return of many faithful
and clergy in Ilocos Norte and Cotabato Areas.

VI. Abdias dela Cruz y Rebantád D.D.

 Date of Birth: September 25, 1931.

 Birthplace: Ochando, New Washington, Aklan
 Educational Attainment:

- B.Th., St. Andrew Theological Seminary, 1956.

 - A.B. English, F.E.U, 1964.
- M.A. History, U.P., 1967.

 Diaconate: April 12, 1916, Ma. Clara Christ Church, Manila.

 Priesthood: May 6, 1956,Parish of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz, Iloilo.
 Episcopate: June 29, 1964, Parish of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz, Iloilo.
 Elected Obispo Máximo: May 1981, National Cathedral, Manila.
 Term of Office: 1981-1987
 Accomplishments:

- The first General Assembly under the 1977 Constitution and Canons was held on May
1981 at the National Cathedral. The Most Reverend Abdias de la Cruz was elected as the
sixth Obispo Máximo. His administration would however be beset with the problem of
separation led by former Obispo Máximo Ga who refused to concede to his defeat and
formed the Iglesia Catolica Filipina Independiente (ICFI).
- In his term, the Missionary Diocese of United States and Canada was created in 1982.
This was the first ever diocese of the Filipino Church outside the Philippines. It was
presently named Diocese of United States of America and Canada (USACADIOS).

 ‘’’After Office:’’’

- Presently serving as Bishop of the Diocese of Aklan and Capiz.

VII. Solimán Ganno y Florés

 Date of Birth: September 19, 1931

 Birthplace: Bungui, Ilocos Norte.
 Educational Attainment:

- A.B., Universityof Hawaii 1953.

- B.Th., SATS 1965.
- M.Th. SEACST, 1974.

 Diaconate: 1953,Parish of Immaculate Concepcion, Batac, Ilocos,Norte.

 Priesthood: 1954, Church of Heroes and martyrs, Sampaloc, Manila.
 Episcopate: May 8, 1969,National Cathedral, Manila.
 Elected Obispo Máximo: May 1987, Bacoor, Cavite.
 Term of Office: 1987-1989
 Died: May 19, 1989, Manila.
 Also known as:

- The First Dean of the National Cathedral.

 Accomplishments:
 - A progressive and perceptive impulse for the Church to become a socially and
politically relevant institution became evident in the election of Bishop Soliman Ganno as
Obispo Máximo on May 8, 1987.
- During his term, the Supreme Council of Bishops (SCB) published two consecutive
pastoral letters in May 1988 (Our Heritage, Our Response) and 1989 (Witnessing:
Sharing in the Pilgrimage) respectively that contain an articulation and elucidation of the
nationalist heritage of the Church. In the two pastoral letters, the Church also reiterated
its advocacy to the people's agenda, support to nationalist industrialization and
genuine land reform, and boldly condemned foreign intervention in the political
governance of the country.
- It was during Bishop Ganno's term that the Statement on Development was issued on
July 30, 1987. The statement laid down the agenda of the church for renewal on the
various aspects of its organizational and institutional life. The statement likewise
reflected the continuous and conscious effort of Aglipayans to recapture the church's
historical heritage by offering herself to witness for and in behalf of the people who were
socially and politically marginalized by the system, and to work for the integral
transformation of society. However, Bishop Ganno did live come to witness the fruits of
this labor as he passed away on May 26, 1989 after two years of fruitful leadership when
he had a heart failure one early morning at the altar of the National Cathedral.

VIII. Tito Pasco y Esquillo

 Date of Birth: January 4, 1930.

 Birthplace: Balasan, Iloilo.
 Educational Attainment:

- A.B. Pre-Law, Central Philippine University.

- B.Th., SATS, 1957.
- A.B. Political Science,University of Iloilo, 1964.
- M.Div., SATS, 1990.
- M.A. History, U.P., 1967.

 Diaconate: March 21, 1957, Ma. Clara Christ Church, Manila.

 Priesthood: May 24, 1957,Parish of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz, Iloilo.
 Episcopate: March 31, 1964, Parish of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz, Iloilo.
 Elected Obispo Máximo: June 1989, National cathedral, Manila.
 Term of Office: 1989-1993
 Accomplishments:

- The Special General Assembly that was convened on June 1989 elected Obispo
Máximo Tito Pasco to serve the unfinished term of the late Obispo Máximo Ganno.
Obispo Máximo Pasco pursued the agenda set forth by his predecessor and initiated
concrete programs towards the organizational development of the Church.
- He authored the Three-Year Vision Program and launched in October 1990 which was
aimed to enhance stewardship and education in the Church. In 1992, he led the launching
of the Comprehensive National Program (CNP) of the Church which was meant to build
 up effective organizational structures and institute processes that would facilitate the
various program concerns of the Church.
- He supported, together with the NPO, the hunger-striking teachers camping at the
National Cathedral in 1991. The church admonished the Aquino Government to
reinstate the teachers and compensate their salaries and benefits. (This hunger-strike
event was featured in the movie Mila starring Maricel Soriano.)
- Bishop Pasco led the Church in launching the Centennial Decade Celebration at the
Folk Arts Theater on August 3, 1992 to mark the beginning of a ten-year celebration
prior to the centennial anniversary of the Church on 2002. It was in the same occasion
that the Decade Agenda was presented to the people of the IFI. The succeeding
celebrations were held at in Ilocos Norte (1993), Cagayan de Oro (1994), Iloilo City
(1995), Cavite City (1996), Rosales, Pangasinan, (1997), Oroquieta (1998), Cabadbaran,
Agusan del Norte (1999), and Dumaguete (2000). The 99th year anniversary celebration
was celebrated in the local dioceses.

 After Office:

- Served as Bishop of the Diocese of Romblon and Mindoro until his retirement.

IX. Alberto Ramento y Baldovino D.D.

 Date of Birth: August 9, 1936

 Birthplace: Guimba, Nueva Ecija.
 Educational Attainment:

- BTh, SATS, 1958.

- MDiv., SATS, 1990.

 Diaconate: April 8, 1958, Ma. Clara Christ church, Manila.

 Priesthood: April 28, 1958, Ma. Clara Christ church, Manila.
 Episcopate: May 1969, National Cathedral, Manila.
 Elected Obispo Máximo: May 1993, Trinity College, Quezon City.
 Doctor of Divinity: General Theological Seminary, New York,USA.
 Term of Office: 1993-1999.
 Died: October 3, 2007, Tarlac.
 Also known as:

- Member of the Joint Monitoring Committee on the Peace Process between the
Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and National Democratic Front of
the Philippines (NDFP).
- ”Bishop of the Poor, Peasants, and Oppressed”.
- One of the Martyrs of IFI with commemoration day of October 3 on the church’s
lectionary.

 Accomplishments:
 - Most Reverend Alberto Ramento was elected as the ninth Obispo Máximo during the
May 1993 General Assembly. He embarked on an intensified campaign for stewardship
and further empowerment of the laity. He strengthened the capability of the Church in
facilitating the national program with the creation of various commissions in the
Central Office.
- He was an instrument in releasing many prisoners of war held by the revolutionary
movements.
- He led the Church to an increasing awareness of its prophetic role in the
establishment of a just society. He was recognized as peacemaker and endorsed as
member of the joint monitoring committee on the peace process between the Government
of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and National Democratic Front of the
Philippines (NDFP).
- It was during his term that the concordat between the Iglesia Filipina Independiente
and the Church of Sweden was signed in 1995.

 After Office:

- He served as Bishop of the Diocese of Tarlac.

- He wes elected and served as the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Bishops.
- Being an anti-government critic in 2007 and an active campaigner against Human
Rights Violation in the Philippines, he was brutally murdered while sleeping in his
humble convent in Tarlac last October 3, 2007.

 Famous Line:

- “I know they are going to kill me next. But never will I abandon my duty to God and
my ministry for the people”.

X. Tomás Millamena y Amabran D.D.

 Date of Birth: January 24, 1947

 Birthplace: Brgy. Millamena, Sibalom, Antique.
 Educational Attainment:

- BTh, SATS, 1978.

- M.Th., SATS, 1988.

 Diaconate: April 16, 1970, SATS Chapel, Quezon City.

 Priesthood: April 19, 1970, National Cathedral, Manila
 Episcopate: March 6, 1962, Parish of St. Michael Archangel and All Angels,
Culasi,Antique.
 Elected Obispo Máximo: May 1999, YMCA Hotel, Manila.
 Doctor of Divinity: Seabury Western Theological Seminary, Illinois, USA, 2002.
 Term of Office: 1999-2005.
 Died: June 1, 2014, Iloilo City,
 Also known as:
 - The ”Centenary Obispo Máximo”.
- Member of GRP-NDFP Negotianing Panel for Peace Talks, Oslo, Norway.

 Accomplishment:

- The May 1999 General Assembly elected Bishop Tomas Millamena as the tenth Obispo
Máximo. His centerpiece program is embodied in the Ten Year Strategic Plan of the
Church that was approved in 2002. Obispo Máximo Millamena worked towards the
strengthening of Church leadership bodies through an intensified education campaign.
Episcopal study-conferences, regional clergy convocations, and lay congresses were held
to consolidate the different strata of leadership in the Church. He likewise pursued the
implementation of important policies that would correspond to financial and property
management.
- Obispo Máximo Millamena held the apostolic staff in leading the Iglesia Filipina
Independiente in celebrating its centenary in August 2 & 3, 2002 at Quirino Grandstand,
Luneta, Manila.

 After Office:

- He served as Bishop of the Diocese of Laguna.

- Bishop of the Diocese of Iloilo.

XI. Godofredo David y Juico D.D.

- The Most Reverend Godofredo David was elected by the May 2005 General Assembly
as eleventh Obispo Máximo. He continued pursuing the programmatic designs of the
Ten Year Strategic Plan and focused on human resource development, church workers
benefit, and property consolidation as his centerpiece program. Cooperation among
local churches was likewise further developed through the strengthening of regional
structures and stronger ecumenical partnership reinforced the Church’s pro-development
advocacy during his leadership.
- The extrajudicial killing of the Most Reverend Alberto Ramento in 2006 has led his
administration toward a more pro-active engagement with justice and peace, and
human rights issues. At the end of Bishop David’s term, a more solid base warranting
the further institutional development of the Church has been put up with the proper
management and maximization of the Church’s human, financial and material resources.

 After Office:

- He was presently serving as Bishop of the Diocese of Rizal and Pampanga.

XII. Ephraim Fajutagana y Servanez D.D.

 Date of Birth:
 Birthplace: Odiongan, Romblon.
 Educational Attainment:
 - Bth., SATS, 1977

 Priesthood: 1977
 Episcopate: July 2002.
 Elected Obispo Máximo: May 10, 2011, Manila.
 Doctor of Divinity: November 30, 2011, SATS, Quezon City.
 Term of Office: 2011–present (incumbent).
 Profile:

- Delegates to the 12th Triennial General Assembly of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente
voted unanimously into office as Obispo Máximo the former General Secretary, the Rt.
Rev. Ephraim S. Fajutagana, on 10th May 2011. Bishop Fajutagana, from the Diocese of
Romblon and Mindoros, bested two aspirants from Mindanao, Bishop Rhee Timbang
(Diocese of Surigao) and Bishop Felixberto Calang (Diocese of Misamis Occidental,
Bukidnon and Camiguin). Supreme Bishop Fajutagana has been in ministry since 1977,
having served the Iglesia Filipina Independiente for a total of some thirty four (34) years
before his election to the highest office of the Church. He was ordained to the priesthood
the same year after graduating from Saint Andrew’s Theological Seminary where he
obtained his Bachelor of Theology degree. Bishop Fajutagana was consecrated to the
episcopate in July 2002 and served the Diocese of Cavite as Diocesan Bishop until his
election as General Secretary in May 2005.