To be chosen by the Holy Father, Pope Leo, to serve as Bishop is a grace I can never fully deserve but one I wholeheartedly embrace with trust in God’s providence.

Ser elegido por el Santo Padre, el Papa León, para servir como Obispo es una gracia que nunca podré merecer plenamente, pero que abrazo con todo mi corazón confiando en la providencia de Dios.

First, I must express my deepest gratitude to our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV for this appointment. I will always be grateful to our Bishop Oscar Cantú. His support, his encouragement, and especially his example of pastoral leadership has shaped my priesthood in countless ways.

He taught me that to shepherd God’s people is to balance firmness with gentleness, clarity with compassion, and truth with mercy.

Me ha enseñado que pastorear al Pueblo de Dios es equilibrar la firmeza con la ternura, la claridad con la compasión, y la verdad con la misericordia.

I will carry these lessons with me in the new ministry entrusted to me as auxiliary Bishop of our beloved Diocese of San Jose.

I remember my parents, Ismael and Eulalia—their love and sacrifices formed the very foundation of my vocation. I also remember my late Uncle Bishop Victorino Ligot, of the Diocese of San Fernando, La Union in the Philippines who influenced me to serve in a very profound way.

From them I learned the faith that sustains me, the discipline that guides me, and the love that grounds me.

De ellos aprendí la fe que me sostiene, la disciplina que me guía, y el amor que me da fundamento.

To my family and friends, your constant prayers and encouragement have been a strength in moments of both joy and trial.

To my parish family at St. Elizabeth of Portugal: you have been my home and my inspiration.

In your lives, your faith, and your daily witness to Christ, I have seen the Gospel alive.

En sus vidas, en su fe, y en su testimonio diario de Cristo, he visto el Evangelio vivo.

As I accept this mission, I do so under the motto I have chosen: Lex Christi Amor Est: The Law of Christ is Love (cf. Gal 5:14).

Lex Christi Amor Est: La Ley de Cristo es el Amor.

As a canon lawyer, I have always strived to understand law, not as a burden, nor as a cold code of regulations, but as truth wrapped in love.

La ley no es una carga, ni un código frío de regulaciones, sino la verdad envuelta en el amor.

The law of the Church has always been for me a path toward communion, a way to protect the dignity of each person, and a reminder that every rule must lead us closer to Christ who is Love incarnate.

I believe that the Bishop’s role is not to impose, but to inspire; not to dominate, but to serve; not simply to interpret the letter of the law, but to bring forth the spirit of love that gives the law its true meaning.

Creo que el papel del Obispo no es imponer, sino inspirar; no es dominar, sino servir; no es simplemente interpretar la letra de la ley, sino manifestar el espíritu de amor que le da su verdadero sentido.

This is how I intend to live my episcopal ministry—with fidelity to Christ, with compassion for God’s people, and with unwavering commitment to the truth of the Gospel.

May God grant me the strength to give myself entirely to this vocation.

I will seek to be a shepherd who listens before speaking, who prays before deciding, who serves before leading.

Quiero ser un pastor que escucha antes de hablar, que ora antes de decidir, que sirve antes de guiar.

I will strive, with all my weaknesses and strength, to embody ‘the words I profess: Lex Christi Amor Est: The Law of Christ is Love.

Me esforzaré, con toda mi debilidad y mi fortaleza, por encarnar las palabras que profeso: Lex Christi Amor Est; La Ley de Cristo es el Amor.

May Christ the Good Shepherd guide me, may the Blessed Virgin Mary protect me, and may all of you continue to sustain me with your prayers.

Together, let us walk in the law of Christ, which is nothing less than the law of love.

Caminemos juntos en la ley de Cristo, que no es otra cosa sino la ley del amor.

Thank you and may God bless you all!