Teodoro Bacani

Teodoro "Ted" Cruz Bacani Jr., OP (born January 16, 1940) is a Filipino Catholic prelate of the Dominican Order who served as Bishop of Novaliches from January to November 2003, when he resigned after a sexual harassment scandal. He previously served as Auxiliary Bishop of Manila from 1984 to 2002.

Career

Bacani was ordained priest on December 21, 1965, in the Diocese of Iba in Zambales. He was also a former dean and professor in theology at the San Carlos Seminary. He served as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Manila and titular bishop of Gauriana from 1984 to 2002. He is also the spiritual advisor of the El Shaddai charismatic group.

Following the creation of the Diocese of Novaliches on December 7, 2002, by Pope John Paul II, Bacani was appointed as its first bishop. He was appointed as bishop of the diocese on January 16, 2003, on his 63rd birthday. He was backed by the diocese and El Shaddai, with both expressing confidence in Bacani. He resigned from the position on November 25, 2003.

Political involvement

Bacani was among the critics of the administration of former president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Amidst the impeachment of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, he supported the "search for the truth" behind allegations that Arroyo cheated in the 2004 elections.

Bacani was critical of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) of the administration of President Benigno Aquino III which he says is just used as a means for bribery. He alleged the DAP was used to bribe senators so that Renato Corona could be impeached.

Bacani also oppose the purchase of contraceptives by the Philippine government which he believes is detrimental.

Bacani joined other members of the clergy in condemning the war on drugs of President Rodrigo Duterte.

For the 2022 presidential elections, Bacani disavowed El Shaddai leader's Mike Velarde's endorsement of then-candidate Bongbong Marcos's campaign. While he maintain he respect's Velarde's position, he called the endorsement as "very wrong" pointing out the reputation of the Marcos family's corruption.