Father Lino Gregorio Redoblado is the new Minister Provincial of the Order of Friars Minor – Province of San Pedro Bautista.
CBCP News said Redoblado's election came on the last day of the congregation’s provincial chapter held at the Poggio Bustone Renewal Center in Botolan, Zambales.
The 55-year old Redoblado succeeded Fr. Cielito Almazan, who completed his six-year term.
Born in Almeria, Leyte, he joined the congregation and made his first profession in May 1988. He took his final vows in May 1992 and was ordained a priest on October 22, 1994.
Before his studies in Rome, he was secretary of the OFM Province of San Pedro Bautista from 1995-1998.
In 2001, he obtained his licentiate in philosophy at Pontificio Ateneo Antonianum. In 2005, he finished his doctorate in philosophy magna cum laude at the Pontifical University Antonianum.
After returning to the Philippines, he served as provincial definitor and secretary for formation and studies; guardian, school director, Dean of the College of Our Lady of the Angels Seminary; secretary of the OFM East Asia Conference, secretary of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines, co-secretary of the bishops’ Commission on Mutual Relations between Bishops and Religious, board member of the Task Force Detainees in the Philippines and vice chairperson of the Human Rights Defenders Philippines from 2010 to 2015.
In 2013, he was elected as minister provincial of the Province of San Pedro Bautista but his six-year term was cut short due to his election as Definitor General of the Order of Friars Minor in 2015 to 2021.
At present, he is assigned as a member of the pastoral team of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Santiago, Isabela.
Meanwhile, the group backed the tandem of presidential candidate Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan in the May 2022 polls.
"Although mindful of our own personal and collective weaknesses, we dare to choose and elect candidates who are known for the following love for God, country, the poor, and the environment, embodiment of Gospel values, character, integrity, honesty, competence, pursuit of the common good, political love, experience, track record, leadership by example, servant-leadership, simplicity of lifestyle, and decency," the Franciscans (Friars Minor) said in a statement.
"After careful and prayerful discernment, we have come up to the decision to support and endorse Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, their senatorial slate and other selected senatoriables who embody the above values that we need in public servants to lead our country to at new and fresh beginning and a hope-filled and progressive future. In the light of our present situation, we find these choices as moral choices," added the group.