Who’s Who in Bataan – OSCAR VALERO CRUZ

OSCAR VALERO CRUZ is a native of Balanga who served as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan in Pangasinan. He is a vocal critic of the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s administration.

Archbishop Cruz was born at the resthouse of the Valero family in Barrio Tuyo, Balanga, on November 17, 1934. His parents were the late Narciso Cruz Sr. of Lubao,Pampanga and the former Asuncion Valero, scion of a very rich family in Balanga. He received his seminary training at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary and completed further Theology studies at the Laterna University.

His sacerdotal ordination was held on February 10, 1962, and his episcopal ordination on May 3, 1976. He was appointed an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Manila (1976-1978) and archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Fernando (1978-1988). He served as a Judicial Vicar of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines National Tribunal of Appeals, and director of the CBCP Legal Office. He was appointed Arcbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan on July 15, 1991 up until his retirement in 2009.

Cruz has published many books, including “CBCP Guidelines on Sexual Abuse and Misconduct: A Critique,”and “Call of the Laity.”

A vocal critic of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Cruz has described the Arroyo government as a “killer government” for alleged killings due to the administration’s declared all-out war campaign against its leftist enemies. Cruz is one of the bishops who supported Caloocan City Bishop Deogracias Iniguez’s impeachment complaint against Arroyo.

At one time, he accused the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) of using female staff to act like “guest relations officers” during the 2004 birthday celebration of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Libel cases were slapped against him.

Cruz also criticized the El Shaddai for getting involved in partisan politics even if the Catholic Church vowed not to endorse any candidate for the May 14, 2007 elections. He said “…the El Shaddai is Catholic but it behaves like a sect. It acts on its own. Members are Catholics but the behavior is sectarian.”

Cruz is still active in his crusade against illegal gambling in the country.