Retired CJ Puno Continues to Lead PBS Board of Trustees

Retired Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno remains at the helm of the Philippine Bible Society (PBS) after being elected as President and Chairman of the 2015-2016 Board of Trustees following the election of new Trustees during the Bible Society’s 50th Annual Membership Meeting last Saturday, April 18, 2015.
Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) National Director Bishop Noel A. Pantoja was also re-elected as Vice President and Vice Chairman, as well as Couples for Christ Global Mission Chairman Atty. Jose T. Tale who was also re-elected as Corporate Secretary.
Completing the line-up of the Executive Committee are the Most Rev. Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, and Jesus Reigns Ministries Coordinator Albert S. Tanlimco, who were both elected as Members-at-Large.
Earlier that morning, 278 members gathered at the PBS United Nations Ministry Facility for the golden membership assembly. The gathering began with Worship Service that featured National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) Secretary General Rev. Fr. Rex RB Reyes as Guest Speaker.
The assembly then proceeded to elect Bishop Pabillo and Mr. Tanlimco, Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Atty. Gerard A. Mosquera, De La Salle University professor Dr. Lysander P. Rivera, Asian Theological Seminary President Dr. Timoteo D. Gener, and Institute for Pastoral Development President Augusto Arguelles as Trustees of the Bible Society. These succeeded retiring Trustees such as the Most Rev. Renato P. Mayuga, D.D., Episcopal Commission on the BIblical Apostolate of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (ECBA-CBCP) Executive Secretary Dr. Natividad B. Pagadut, PCEC Commission on Peace and Reconciliation Peace Builders Ministry National Coordinator Emmaloisa Malibiran-Salumbides, and Shekinah Christian Unity Foundation founder and Chairman Atty. Jose P. Villanueva.
The newly-elected Trustees and Executive Committee members were sworn in by former President and Chairman United Methodist Church Bishop Daniel A. Arichea, Jr., PhD.
During the meeting, PBS General Secretary Dr. Nora G.  Lucero reported the highlights of the Bible Society’s performance in the preceding year in terms of the organization’s five strategic directions: scripture engagement, pro-active marketing, friend and fundraising, systems innovation and processes improvement, and, human resources development.
In her report, Dr. Lucero highlighted how God used the Bible Society to “bring the hope and comfort of God’s Word to people that need it most, particularly the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda.”
“The Lord continues to make PBS a channel of His blessings— a channel of hope and comfort to hurting people. He used the Bible Society to equip many church workers so the work of His Kingdom will continue. And He poured out resources through our friends and partners to make this happen,” Dr. Lucero shared.
The PBS has an 18-member inter-confessional board composed of five representatives each from PCEC, the Roman Catholic Church,and NCCP. Meanwhile three representatives come from independent churches. Currently also serving as Trustees are:
 
Rev. Dr. Ruth P. Billena,  Deputy Conference Minister, Lowland Cavite South Manila;
Bishop Joselito T. Cruz, General Secretary of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente;
Mrs. Leonila T. Cruz, Elder of the Friends of Jesus Christ Ministries International;
Most Rev. Pablo Virgilio S. David, D.D., Chairman of ECBA-CBCP;
Mr. Ramon J. Dela Torre, Elder of the  Kamuning Bible Christian Fellowship;
Dr. Rommel F. Linatoc, Program Secretary of the Christian Unity and Ecumenical Relations of the NCCP,
Dr. Cristina  N.  Mañabat,  President, Harris Memorial College;
Bishop Jonel R. Milan, National Chairman, Philippine Ministerial Fellowship Network;
Mr. Lawrence Y. Ty, Chairman of the United Evangelical Church of Manila; and
the Most Rev. Bishop Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, D.D, Bishop of Sorsogon as Chairman Emeritus
 
In all these, we give thanks to our loving Lord for His direction, guidance and  provision over the years in the mission of “Making the Bible Known”  to see “A Transformed Philippines Through God’s Word”. To Him be glory, honor and praise!