José Bantolo

José Salmorin Bantolo (born November 12, 1960) is a Filipino prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who currently serves as 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]

Most Reverend José Salmorin Bantolo D.D.
Bishop of Masbate
Province	Caceres
See	Masbate
Appointed	March 19, 2011
Installed	September 6, 2011
Predecessor	Joel Z. Baylon
Successor	Incumbent
Previous post(s)	Vicar General of San Jose de Antique
Orders
Ordination	April 21, 1986
Consecration	August 22, 2011 by Giuseppe Pinto
Personal details
Born	(1960-11-12)November 12, 1960 Guisijan, Laua-an, Antique, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Alma mater	Pontifical Gregorian University
Motto	"Vivere Christus Est"
Coat of arms

Styles of José Salmorin Bantolo
Reference style	His Excellency The Most Reverend
Spoken style	Your Excellency
Religious style	Bishop

Early life and education

Bantolo was born on November 12, 1960, in Guisijan, Laua-an, Antique, Philippines.^[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, USA.^[1]

Priesthood

Bantolo was ordained a priest on April 21, 1986, for the Diocese of San Jose de Antique.^[2][3] He initially served as 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 served as 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 Z. 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 the Masbate Cathedral in 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]