| Robert Reyes | |
| Pope Benedict XVII of the Philippine Catholic Church and Moral Guide of Religious Affairs in the Philippines | |
| Supreme Governor of the Holy State of Intramuros | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office: February 22, 2019 | |
| Regent Generals of the State: | Albert Cardinal Alejo, SJN Flavie Cardinal Villanueva |
| Preceded by: | Position established |
| Obispo of the Philippine Catholic Church | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed Office: February 22, 2019 | |
| Preceded by: | Position established |
| Archbishop of Manila | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed Office: February 22, 2019 | |
| Preceded by: | Position established |
| Moral Guide of Religious Affairs in the Philippines | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed Office: February 22, 2019 | |
| Preceded by: | Position established |
| Biography | |
| Born: | Robert Reyes |
| Citizenship: | Filipino |
|
Affiliated Political party: |
Coalition of Catholic Clerics (2020-present) |
| Alma mater: | |
| Coat of Arms: | |
| Signature: | |
| Religion: | Roman Catholic |
Robert Reyes, known by his given papal name as Benedict XVII is the leader and co-founder of the Philippine Catholic Church, a mysticalistic Integralist splinter organization not recognized by the Roman Catholic Church.
Early Life[]
According to the official state biography, Robert Reyes was found as a child in the steps of a Palawan monastery at the end of the rainbow and then raised by monks. In his teens, Reyes has a vision claiming "when he grows up, God will choose him to lead his church after he defeats the Beast, the false prophet and their followers".
Political Activism[]
Reyes is known for his political activism and lead rallies against the government which earned him the nickname the "Running Priest". In 2003, he was involved in a failed coup attempt at the Oakwood Primer apartment complex lead by Antonio Trillanes. After the coup, Reyes was exiled to China. During his time in China, Reyes grows to secretly hate the Chinese for the treatment he receives while in exile. Since 2016 he became a critic of the late President Rodrigo Duterte whom he called as the "antichrist". During this time, he led political rallies to oust the Duterte and the PDP-Laban. He gathered 12 million supporters to further his cause and calls for the rejection of the separation of church and state. By February 2019, Reyes was again involved in a coup that overthrew Rodrigo Duterte and his government led by his longtime friend Antonio Trillanes, Senator Leila de Lima, and far-right activist Elly Pamatong.