Ang Pahayagan

Manila, Philippines –Heart attacks claimed the lives of two Diocese of Balanga priests on consecutive days, leaving clergy and faithful mourning a senior cleric and a newly ordained priest.

The diocese announced June 13 the death of Fr. Ernesto De Leon, parish priest of St. Peter Martyr of Verona Parish in Balanga town and former executive secretary of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Evangelization and Catechesis (ECEC). He was 59.

A day later, church officials announced the death of Fr. Tristan Ralf Pacheco, priest in charge for Bataan Peninsula State University, whose priestly ministry had lasted less than a year. He was 43.

At a wake Mass Monday, Bishop Daniel Presto of San Fernando, chairman of the CBCP-ECEC, said the deaths brought unusual sorrow to the clergy. 

“It is rare that we celebrate Mass in the presence of two priests who have died, and their deaths came one after the other,” Presto said in his homily.

Among those who concelebrated the Mass were Bishop Rufino Sescon Jr. of Balanga and several priests.

Presto recalled De Leon’s long service in evangelization and catechesis, including his eight years as executive secretary of the national commission.

“Fr. Ernie’s heart was full of love expressed through the proclamation of God’s word,” Presto said. “There was genuine concern and zeal in him in the name of evangelization.”

Ordained Dec. 4, 1993, De Leon served in parish assignments and church ministries for more than three decades, completing his term as CBCP executive secretary in November 2025.

Presto also paid tribute to Pacheco, ordained Oct. 1, 2025, who left a career in education as licensed teacher and civil engineer to enter priesthood.

“They are a loss to the diocese,” he said. “But they are now there, praying for us.” CBCP News

📸 Fr. Ernesto de Leon and Fr. Tristan Ralf Pacheco. (FILE PHOTOS FROM DIOCESE OF BALANGA)