Supreme Bishop

The Supreme Bishop (Obispo Máximo), abbreviated O.M., is the leader or primate of the autocephalous nationalist Independent Catholic denomination Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church) or IFI, known informally as the "Aglipayan Church". The supreme bishop is the spiritual head, chief pastor, and the chief executive officer of the church. He is the first among equals (primus inter pares) from the church's bishops.

The supreme bishop is elected by the General Assembly of the church and heads the Executive Commission, which is the highest policy-making body in the absence of the General Assembly.

Joel Porlares was elected Obispo Máximo on May 9, 2023, by a majority vote of delegates during their 15th General Assembly and was officially proclaimed in the evening on the same day after previously serving as the General Secretary, the second highest post in the church. He is the fourteenth in a line of succession from Gregorio Aglipay, the first Obispo Máximo.

The supreme bishop's office is at the Obispado Máximo (also called the "Central Office") in the National Cathedral of the Holy Child compound, located in Taft Avenue, Manila.

Election and term of office
The supreme bishop is the primate, spiritual head, and chief executive of the Philippine Independent Church.

A supreme bishop is elected from the bishops of the church during the General Assembly every six years, by the delegates of every diocese, strictly via majority vote and cannot be re-elected for a consecutive term as per the church's 1977 constitution and canons which was first implemented in 1981. By tradition, the General Assembly usually elects the General Secretary (the second highest post in the church) as the next supreme bishop, but is not necessary. In the event of death or permanent disability of the sitting supreme bishop, the senior bishop-member of the Executive Commission, based on the date of consecration or seniority in age, shall automatically act as Officer-in-Charge of the church. The Executive Commission shall then elect an interim supreme bishop from its bishop-members, two weeks from such death or permanent disability. Ultimately, the Executive Commission shall convene the General Assembly for a special election of a regular supreme bishop within thirty days from the death or permanent disability.

The supreme bishop is responsible for the ecclesiastical government of the church and is the spiritual head of almost 7 million Aglipayans throughout the Philippines and some dioceses in the United States and Canada.