Background
He was born and raised in Centro, Mandaue.
He was born and raised in Centro, Mandaue.
Cortes attended Saint Joseph"s Academy for Grade school in 1972-1978 and in Street Louis high school on 1978-1982 both in Mandaue. He graduated from Visayas State University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry.
The Office of the President has found Cortes guilty of dereliction of duty over his refusal to implement a 2008-approved ordinance from the Mandaue city council. The decision, dated July 27, 2009 was signed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Malacañang found Cortes guilty of dereliction of duty and was issued a reprimand. However no penalties imposed against Cortes.
Concluding its investigation, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), through Secretary Ronaldo Puno, earlier recommended the suspension of Mayor Cortes for one year believing that Cortes was guilty of grave misconduct, oppression and misconduct in office, an offense that carries a penalty of a six-month suspension as well as oppression and abuse of authority worth another six months.
Cortes filed his COC as an independent and ran against Jonkie Ouano, son of former Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano. Cortes was elected mayor.
Cortes highlighted the P45.6-million increase in the income of the city government from the time he assumed office in July last year, saying he has worked to make the city business-friendly. He campaigned on a platform that included government reform and integrity.