Bishop of Dumaguete
Julito B. Cortes was born in Parañaque on July 4, 1956. He completed his philosophical studies at the San Carlos Seminary College in Cebu and his theological studies at the Central Seminary of the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila, where he obtained a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (1985). He subsequently earned a Master of Arts in Education from the same university and, finally, a Doctorate in Theology from the Angelicum in Rome (1989). He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Dumaguete on October 24, 1980. He subsequently held the following positions: teacher and later Rector of St. Joseph Seminary (1981–1985), and Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese of Dumaguete (1983–1985). Upon returning home after his studies in Rome, he was appointed Rector of St. Joseph Seminary (1989–1996) and Vicar General of the Diocese of Dumaguete (1989–2001). He was also elected Diocesan Administrator during the *sede vacante* period following the transfer of H.E. Msgr. Angel N. Lagdameo. On October 24, 2001, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Severiana and Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu; he was consecrated on January 8, 2002.