The 66-year-old has recently become the latest Filipino cardinal, a position he was appointed to by Pope Francis in December of the previous year.
Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as the Bishop of Kalookan in October 2015.
Cardinal David is recognized for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in supporting the families of those who lost their lives during the violent “war on drugs” initiated by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently facing charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court in The Hague due to the severe drug crackdowns.
During the peak of Mr. Duterte’s anti-drug initiative, Bishop David, serving the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalookan in northern Metro Manila, offered protection to witnesses of the drug war, whose lives were in serious danger.
Metro Manila, the capital region of the Philippines, consists of 16 cities and one municipality. Cardinal David’s diocese encompasses Malabon City, Navotas City, and the southern section of Caloocan City—areas significantly affected by the drug-related casualties among disadvantaged communities.
As he provided aid to the families of victims from the drug war, Cardinal David faced death threats.
He was also subjected to “red-tagging,” a practice where advocates in the Philippines are unfairly labeled as communist terrorists for their social actions. This similar tag has also been applied to Pope Francis by his detractors.
Cardinal David often reflects on how Pope Francis advised him to use what the pope termed “divine humor” in response to the threats he received.
He also recalled how the late pope encouraged him during their meeting to stay humble and not let the title “His Eminence” inflate his ego.
After the passing of Pope Francis, Cardinal David emphasized the late pope’s role as a mediator.
He remembered the late pope describing Filipino migrants as “smugglers of faith.”
Over 10 million Filipinos live abroad as part of the Philippines’ extensive diaspora.
Additionally, he recalled how the late pope taught that the true essence of the gospel thrives in areas afflicted by poverty and social exclusion.
