Oscar Cruz

Oscar Valero Cruz, (November 17, 1934 – August 26, 2020) was a Filipino prelate of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. He was the Archbishop of Lingayen–Dagupan in Pangasinan, Philippines, from 1991 until his retirement in 2009.

Biography
Oscar Cruz was born on November 17, 1934, in Balanga, Bataan, Philippines. He received his seminary training at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary, and further theology studies at the Lateran University.

His priestly ordination was on February 8, 1962, and his episcopal consecration on May 3, 1976. He was the first Filipino rector of San Carlos Seminary of the Archdiocese of Manila from 1973 to 1978. He was an auxiliary bishop 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 (CBCP) National Tribunal of Appeals, and director of the CBCP Legal Office. He was appointed Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan on July 15, 1991.

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

Cruz was elected President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences and served from 1993–2000.

Controversy
Manila RTC, Branch 52 Judge Antonio Rosales on May 14, 2008, issued the warrant of arrest, granted the P10,000 bail motion, and Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz posted bail. Libel cases were filed against him after he accused the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) of using female staff to act like "guest relations officers (GROs)" during the 2004 birthday celebration of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. His arraignment was set on June 17.

Retirement
On September 8, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the retirement of Archbishop Cruz and was effective on November 4, 2009 where he was succeeded by Socrates Villegas of the Diocese of Balanga.

Death
Cruz died from complications of multiple organ failure caused by COVID-19 on August 26, 2020, at age 85 during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.