Wowo Fortes

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Laurio and the surname or paternal family name is Fortes.

Wowo Fortes (born Manuel Laurio Fortes Jr.; February 24, 1965) is a Filipino lawyer and politician serving as the Representative of the Province of Sorsogon’s 2nd district since July 2022.^[1]

Wowo Fortes
Official portrait, 2025
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Sorsogon's 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2022
Preceded by	none ; office last held by Bernardita Ramos
Vice Governor of Sorsogon
In office June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2022
Governor	Francis Escudero
Preceded by	Ester Hamor
Succeeded by	Krunimar Antonio Escudero II
Mayor of Barcelona, Sorsogon
In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2019
Preceded by	Salvador Nee Estuye
Succeeded by	Cynthia Falcotelo-Fortes
Personal details
Born	Manuel Laurio Fortes, Jr. (1965-02-24) February 24, 1965 (age 60) Sorsogon, Sorsogon, Philippines
Political party	NPC (2018-present)
Other political affiliations	UNA (2012-2018) Nacionalista (2009-2012)
Spouse	Cynthia Falcotelo-Fortes
Occupation	Lawyer

Career and affiliations

Prior to his political career, Fortes was a practicing lawyer. He served as the vice governor of Sorsogon from 2019 to 2022, and mayor of Barcelona, Sorsogon from 2010 to 2019.^[2]

In the 2019 elections, Fortes was Francis Escudero's running mate in the gubernatorial election under the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC).^[3] In the 2022 elections, Fortes and the NPC won all provincial offices, including the 2nd district House representative seat Fortes ran at.^[4]

Legislation

Fortes contributed to the drafting of Republic Act No. 11964, a bill relating to income classification of local government units (LGUs).^[5] He was a coauthor of House Bill No. 3458: Community-Driven Development (CDD) Bill.^[6]