Cortez was born on July 3, 1949, in Baclaran, Philippines.[2][3] He pursued his early seminary formation at Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary from 1965 to 1967 before continuing his studies in philosophy and theology at San Carlos Seminary from 1967 to 1974. Later, he furthered his education by obtaining a master's degree in Sacred Theology from the University of Fribourg in Switzerland from 1990 to 1993.[1][4][5]
Priesthood
Cortez was ordained a priest on June 23, 1974. He initially served as a parochial vicar at the Cathedral of San Pablo while also taking on the role of Prefect of Discipline at the Minor Seminary of San Pablo. From 1975 to 1978, he became the parish priest of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Kalayaan, Laguna. He later took on the role of chaplain at a public school in Tondo, Manila, from 1979 to 1982.
From 1983 to 1985, Cortez was assigned to pastoral ministry in Venasque, France. Upon returning to the Philippines, he served as a spiritual director at Saint Peter College Seminary in San Pablo, Laguna from 1985 to 1986. His ministry in seminary formation continued when he was appointed spiritual director at the San Pablo Theological Formation House in Tagaytay City from 1988 to 1990, and at Saint Peter's College Seminary in San Pablo City from 1993 to 1994.
In 1993, he also took on the responsibility of being the parish priest at Our Lady of Angels Parish in Santa Maria, Laguna. He later served as spiritual director at Saint Peter's College Seminary again from 1995 to 1999 while being appointed Director of the Office for the Formation of Priests in 1998.
Before his appointment to Infanta, Cortez served as the Diocesan Administrator of Diocese of San Pablo in 2004. He later became a member of the CBCP Commission on Seminaries from 2005 to 2009 and served as its chairman from 2005 to 2013. He was also involved with the CBCP Commission on Social Communications and Mass Media, and the Permanent Committee on Public Affairs from 2013 to 2015.[1][2]
Bishop Cortez has been an active advocate for environmental and social issues. He has been a vocal opponent of the China-funded Kaliwa Dam project, expressing concerns over its potential impact on indigenous communities and the environment. In 2019, he emphasized the importance of preserving the Sierra Madre mountain range, stating that the survival of local communities depends on the care of their natural surroundings.[7]
In 2020, he reiterated that the dam project poses risks to lowland agricultural and fishing communities with a history of flash flooding. The area is also home to thousands of Dumagats, an indigenous community in the highlands of Infanta.[8][9]
In 2022, Bishop Cortez, alongside Bishop Mel Rey Uy of Lucena, led a protest march in Lucena City against the Kaliwa Dam project.[10]
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