Leo Soriano was elected as Bishop on the 5th ballot during the 2000 Philippines Central Conference held in Cabanatuan City, Philippines. The overwhelming support and his early election in the 5th Ballot was phenomenal and unprecedented in the history of the United Methodist Church in the Philippines. His election was an indication of the Filipino Methodists desire of change in their church politics. The personal background of Leo, having family roots from the North of the country yet living and representing the South, became a symbol of the desire of the Church to be all inclusive and intentional in representing equally all ethnic groups of the country. Bishop Soriano is the current Resident Bishop of the Davao Episcopal Area, one of three Episcopal Areas of the Philippines. His offices are in the Spottswood Methodist Center in Kidapawan City. In 2004 he was appointed to a four year position as one of four voting members of the General Council on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church. He has served as a member of the UMC Council of Bishops, the UMC General Council on Ministries, and the cross denominational organizations Christian Conference of Asia and National Council of Churches in the Philippines.
As of 2007 serves on the Philippine Christian University Board of Trustees.
He has acted as a spokesperson for UMC Philippines during the December 2003 typhoons and Southern Leyte mudslides and signing a Bible sent to President George W. Bush as congratulations following his re-election, a 200-year-old UMC tradition.
*Wearing the black gown is the bishop surrounded by the pastors.
Leo Soriano was elected as Bishop on the 5th ballot during the 2000 Philippines Central Conference held in Cabanatuan City, 
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