1. Socrates Villegas is the fifth and current Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan in Pangasinan since 2009, and is the former president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines from 2013 to 2017, previously serving as the vice president of the episcopal conference from 2011 to 2013.
The youngest of the three children of Emiliano Socrates Villegas and Norma Buenaventura both from Pateros, he was born on September 28,1960, when the town is still part of Rizal province.
Socrates Villegas went through basic education at the Pateros Elementary School, Pateros Catholic School and Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Socrates Villegas studied for the priesthood at San Carlos Seminary with a degree Master of Arts in Theological Studies.
Socrates Villegas was ordained priest by Cardinal Jaime Sin on October 5,1985, at the Manila Cathedral.
Socrates Villegas served as Sin's personal secretary for fifteen years, and as vicar general of the Archdiocese of Manila for thirteen years.
Socrates Villegas then became the first Rector of the EDSA Shrine and Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Manila in concurrent capacity.
Socrates Villegas held that position until his transfer to Balanga on July 3,2004.
Socrates Villegas is the current Bishop Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Seminaries since 2019 until 2026.
On May 3,2004, Socrates Villegas was named as third Bishop of Balanga by Pope John Paul II.
From 2006 to 2008, Socrates Villegas decreed the creation of three Catholic schools in Bataan which are St Joseph's College of Balanga City, Upper Tuyo, Balanga City, Blessed Regina Protmann Catholic School, Mt.
Also on that year, Socrates Villegas contacted the Sisters of Notre Dame, represented by Sister Mary Sujita Kallupurakattu, with a request to provide Sisters for a retreat center in Upper Tuyo.
Socrates Villegas was then installed upon Cruz's retirement as the archdiocese's archbishop on November 4,2009, ending his 5 years, 6 months, and 1 day tenure as third Bishop of Balanga.
Socrates Villegas was succeeded by Ruperto Santos upon his appointment to the position as fourth Bishop of Balanga on April 1,2010 and installed into office on July 8,2010.
Socrates Villegas was the Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Catechesis and Catholic Education of the CBCP from 2003 until 2012 and formerly a member of the Presidential Committee of the Pontifical Council for the Family.
Socrates Villegas is currently the Chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission for Seminaries.
Socrates Villegas is a chaplain of the Order of Malta and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.
Socrates Villegas was a synodal father in the Synod of Bishops of 2012 and 2014.
Socrates Villegas is a member of the Council of the papal foundation Aid to the Church in Need.
Socrates Villegas opened the first archdiocesan theology seminary in northern Philippines in 2013 called Mary Help of Christians Theology Seminary which grants civil master's degrees in theology and pastoral ministry.
Socrates Villegas authored ten books of homilies and spiritual meditations since he was priest of the Archdiocese of Manila until now.
Socrates Villegas is a member of Dominican Clerical Fraternity of the Philippines, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
Socrates Villegas was the CEO of the Tenth World Youth Day held in Manila in 1995 and the Fourth World Meeting of Families in 2003.