MANILA (LiCAS News): On June 2, Caritas Philippines announced the appointment of Father Carmelo “Tito” Caluag as its new executive director, succeeding Father Antonio Labiao Jr., who served in the post from July 2020 until his resignation in March 2024 due to health reasons.
In a press briefing, Father Calaug, expressed optimism that the Church’s intensified efforts for human rights and expanded ecumenical relations will soon be realised.
He expressed hope for better dialogue with the Marcos administration, which he described as “friendlier” than the Duterte government.
“We hope to see a greater movement towards strengthening [human rights]. Because let’s face it, that has been very, very damaged in the past administration,” he said.
The new executive director of Caritas Philippines reiterated that advancing human rights is “part of the mandate” of the Catholic Church, adding that faith institutions must initiate programs that will promote human rights and protect rights defenders.
We hope to see a greater movement towards strengthening [human rights]. Because let’s face it, that has been very, very damaged in the past administration
Father Carmelo “Tito” Caluag
“In case, God forbid, another situation calls for a stronger stand against human rights violations. We’ll be ready… I think we should go beyond just providing legal assistance [to rights violations victims],” he said.
Father Calaug denounced the practice of ‘red-tagging’ and all forms of attacks against human rights defenders, environmental activists, and social action workers.
“We need to create protocols that will provide greater security for our advocates, and perhaps, also from time to time, bring together the advocates and to listen to them and to create programmes for them to exchange ideas, And also create greater synergy and synchroniaation of efforts,” he added.
Since 2020, Father Caluag has been a consultant for Caritas Philippines. He currently leads the Alay Kapwa [AK] Expanded Fund Campaign and involved in the AK Community Schooling, as well as the Caritas Philippines Academy.
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An educator at heart, he is expected to contribute his considerable experience in education, leadership, and social development to the organisation.
I guess the collaboration with other Christian Churches, and all other Churches for that matter, involving all faiths, is not just limited to human rights, but also about becoming an institution for the poor
Father Caluag
During the press conference, he also stressed the need to collaborate with other faiths and Christian denominations, not only in the realm of human rights but also in efforts to serve the poor.
“I guess the collaboration with other Christian Churches, and all other Churches for that matter, involving all faiths, is not just limited to human rights, but also about becoming an institution for the poor,” he said.
Father Caluag added that he considers “becoming the Church of the poor is something very crucial” and “bigger than human rights because it encompasses human rights… Because the most violated rights are those of the poor,” he said.
He began teaching at Ateneo de Manila High School in 1980 and later held various leadership positions at Ateneo de Manila University. He joined the Society of Jesus in 1983 and was ordained a priest 10 years later.
In 2005, he founded the Alay sa Bansa Centre for Education Research and Development, which later evolved into the Magna Anima Education System, Inc. He will assume its presidency on 1 July 2024.
Father Caluag resigned from ADMU in 2005 and requested to be dismissed from the Society of Jesus in 2006 so that he could focus on public school work and other advocacies.
He is now incardinated in the Diocese of Novaliches and is parochial vicar of the Good Shepherd Cathedral. He is also the priest director of the diocese’s Special Commission on Research and Advocacy and Head of the Resource Mobilisation Office.
