Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Jacinto Jose and appointed Fr. Nick Vaquilar as the new bishop of Urdaneta, the Vatican announced.

The decision was made public on May 3 in Manila by Archbishop Charles Brown.

Jose, who has led the Diocese of Urdaneta since December 2005, stepped down after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75 in October 2025, ending nearly two decades of service.

He also previously served as chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Canon Law of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

Vaquilar, a priest of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia, assumes the post as bishop-elect at age 56. His appointment coincided with his birthday.

Born in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, Vaquilar studied philosophy at San Pablo Major Seminary in Baguio City and theology at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology in Vigan City, where he later served as rector. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1997.

He later pursued advanced studies in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University and earned a doctorate in sacred theology from Ateneo de Manila University in 2016.

Vaquilar also held key roles in seminary formation and led the archdiocese’s commissions on biblical apostolate and seminaries.

The date of his episcopal ordination and installation has yet to be announced.