The Diocese of Boac in Marinduque province has a new bishop after nearly a year of being “sede vacante.”
Pope Leo XIV on Saturday appointed Fr. Edwin Panergo of the Diocese of Lucena as the new bishop of Boac, which has been vacant since November 2024.
During the vacancy, the diocese was administered by Fr. Elino Esplana, who served as diocesan administrator.
Panergo, who turned 54 on Sept. 7, will succeed Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit Jr., who led Boac for about nine years before he was transferred to the Diocese of San Pablo in Laguna province last year.
The bishop-elect currently serves as rector of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Seminary in Sariaya, Quezon.
Born in Lucena City, Panergo studied philosophy at St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary in Lipa City and theology at St. Alphonsus School of Theology in Lucena.
He was ordained a priest at Lucena Cathedral on Sept. 8, 1997.
Panergo also holds a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from St. Louis University in Baguio City and a licentiate in sacred theology from Notre Dame de Vie in Venasque, France.
He is also the director of the Diocese of Lucena’s Commission on Vocation.
