Valles, 55, will assume his new post in January 2007, churchworkers of the Kidapawan Diocese said.
Valles is a staunch supporter of human rights, indigenous people’s rights, good governance, among others.
He recently earned the moniker “biking bishop” for heading a team of diocesan priests in the Bike for Peace in last year’s Mindanao Week of Peace. He also joined “biking priest” Amado Picardal, though only part of the way, in the latter’s 21-day Mindanao Bike Tour for Life and Peace last summer.
Morelos, a native of Sorsogon and president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines from 1991 to 1995, was Bishop of Butuan until his appointment to the post in Zamboanga City in 1996.
Valles, a native of Maribojoc, Bohol, Valles was ordained priest on April 6, 1976.
Valles took up AB Philosophy from the St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary from 1968 to 1972 and Theology from 1972 to 1976.
He went to the Pontificio Ateneo SAnt’ Anselmo in Rome, Italy from 1985 to 1990 for a Licentiate in Sacred Liturgy and obtained his MA in Religious Education from the Ignatian Institute for Religious Education, Ateneo de Davao University in 1997.
Valles served as assistant parish priest at the Christ the King Cathedral Parish in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, from 1976 to 1978. From there he became parish priest of San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish in Mati, Davao Oriental. From 1982 to 1984, he was parish priest of the Christ the King Cathedral Parish in Tagum City and later as vicar general of the Diocese of Tagum.
Valles has been teaching Scripture at the Queen of Apostles College Seminary, Tagum, Davao in 1983. From 1990, he taught Fundamental Liturgy, Sacramental Theology at the St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary, Davao City where he also became coordinator of the Spiritual Formation Year.
Valles was vice rector of the Seminary from 1992 to 1993 and Rector of the St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary.