Sorsogon Bishop Emeritus, Most Rev. Arturo Bastes, passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 80, as confirmed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
Bastes, who was ordained a priest in 1970, served as the bishop of Sorsogon from 2003 to 2019, and earlier as the bishop of Romblon in 1997. He was a prominent figure in the Church and known for his advocacy on social issues.
In 2016, he initiated a campaign urging the government to allocate 20% of its resources to an anti-poverty initiative called the Serendipity Fund. Bastes was also the chairman and president of the Philippine Bible Society in 2008.
Throughout his career, he was vocal on various national matters. In 2017, he spoke out against President Rodrigo Duterte’s stance on human rights and condemned mining activities in Albay due to environmental concerns.
Bishop Bastes’ passing marks the loss of a dedicated leader who championed both faith and social justice.