Cuevas was born in Cuenca, Batangas, Philippines. He pursued his priestly formation at the Pastor Bonus Seminary in Zamboanga City, where he began his journey toward the priesthood. His theological studies continued at the Regional Major Seminary in Davao City.[4][5]
Priesthood
Cuevas was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Zamboanga on December 6, 2000. In the years that followed, he took on various responsibilities, including serving as vicar at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Zamboanga from 2001 to 2003. He later became the rector of the Sanctuary Nostra Signora del Pilar and was entrusted with the role of chancellor of the archdiocese from 2003 to 2009. From 2005 to 2007, he was appointed administrator of the archdiocesan pastoral center. He served as parish priest of Santa Maria Parish from 2009 to 2015. Since 2017, he has been serving as director of the Commission on the Clergy for the archdiocese.[5][6]
In August 2021, he was appointed Apostolic Administrator sede plena of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, while Archbishop Romulo de la Cruz was recovering from a stroke. He managed the affairs of the archdiocese until the appointment of a new archbishop.[8]
At the time of his appointment, Cuevas was considered one of the youngest bishops in the Philippines.[3]
Advocacy
Bishop Cuevas has consistently emphasized the importance of simplicity and humility in the life of the clergy. He has spoken against material excess and has urged priests to remain dedicated to their pastoral mission. In February 2023, he addressed concerns over clergy members who displayed extravagant lifestyles, calling such behaviors a "blinding addiction" that distracted them from their spiritual responsibilities.[11]
Bishop Moises Cuevas advocates for the protection of the Verde Island Passage (VIP), emphasizing its ecological importance and the threats it faces, such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Citing Pope Francis’ Laudato si', he stresses that preserving VIP is crucial for biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions of fishermen, warning that its degradation could lead to displacement and food insecurity.[12][13][14]
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