He was ordained to the priesthood on 27 February 1982. In 1985, he was sent to the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. to study systematic theology. He earned a license in sacred theology in 1987 and a doctorate, summa cum laude in 1991. On his return to Imus in 1992, he resumed his office as Rector of the Seminary. He was also a member of the College of Consultors and of the Presbyterial Council and Episcopal Vicar.

In 1997 he was appointed member of the International Theological Commission and in 1998 took part as an expert in the Special Assembly for Asia of the Synod of Bishops. On 22 October 2001, he was appointed Bishop of Imus and was ordained a bishop on 12 December that year. On 13 October 2011, he was appointed Archbishop of Manila. He took possession of the archdiocese on 12 December.

President Delegate of III Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (October 2014) on the topic: The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization; President Delegate of the XIV Ordinary General Assembly on the topic, The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World (October 2015).

He participated in the conclave of March 2013, which elected H.H. Pope Francis. He is a member of the Congregation for Catholic Education, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life and the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.