Ace Durano
Ace Durano | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2025 | |
| Provincial Administrator of the Provincial Government of Cebu | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2025 | |
| Governor | Pamela S. Baricuatro |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Cebu's 5th district | |
| In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Ramon Durano VI |
| Succeeded by | Ramon Durano VI |
| In office June 30, 1998 – November 29, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Ramon D. Durano III |
| Succeeded by | Ramon Durano VI |
| 13th Secretary of Tourism | |
| In office November 30, 2004 – June 30, 2010 | |
| President | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Preceded by | Roberto Pagdanganan |
| Succeeded by | Alberto Lim |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Felix Mari Hotchkiss Durano April 3, 1970 Cebu City, Philippines |
| Party | PPP (2021–present) BAKUD (local party; 2001–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Liberal (2012–2021) NPC (1998–2012) |
| Relations |
|
| Alma mater | University of Redlands (BA) Ateneo de Manila University (LL.B) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Joseph Felix Mari "Ace" Hotchkiss Durano[1] (born April 3, 1970) is a Filipino lawyer and politician serving as the provincial administrator of Cebu since 2025. He previously served as Secretary of Tourism and general manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) in the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.[2] He also served twice as the representative of Cebu's fifth district: from 1998 to 2004 and from 2013 to 2016.
Early life
Durano was born to Ramon "Nito" Duterte Durano III, a former mayor of Danao, Cebu, who was also a second cousin of former president Rodrigo Duterte.[3]
Political career
He also served twice as the Representative of Cebu's 5th congressional district: from 1998 to 2004 and from 2013 to 2016.
He was one of the youngest to be elected representative to the 11th congress (1998-2001). He was an Assistant Majority Floor Leader and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Trade and Industry during that time.
In the 2022 local elections, Durano challenged the incumbent governor Gwendolyn Garcia for the governorship of Cebu and lost. He ran alongside incumbent vice governor Hilario Davide III as his running mate.[4]
In 2025, Durano was appointed provincial administrator of Cebu by governor Pam Baricuatro.[5]
Controversies
Durano was convicted of graft by the Sandiganbayan over the development of the Department of Tourism 2009 wall calendar, worth PhP 2.7 million, without initiating a public bidding process.[6] His motion for reconsideration was denied by the court in February 2022.[7] The case is currently under appeal before the Supreme Court.[8]
References
- ^ Garcia, Patrick (April 1, 2019). "Former DOT Secretary faces graft charge". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
- ^ "Ace Durano gets second gov't post as tourism authority head". GMA News Online. May 3, 2008. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
- ^ "What Ace Durano's appointment as provincial administrator means for Cebu". Rappler. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
- ^ "Ex-tourism chief Ace Durano to challenge Gwen Garcia in Cebu gubernatorial race". Rappler. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "Former tourism secretary named as Cebu province's administrator". ABS-CBN. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
- ^ Mayol, Ador Vincent (December 2, 2021). "Ex-DOT chief Ace Durano convicted of graft over 2009 project". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
- ^ Semilla, Ador Vincent Mayol (February 22, 2022). "Court affirms conviction of ex-tourism chief Ace Durano". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- ^ Antojado, Le Phyllis F. "Sandigan sustains Durano's graft conviction". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 17, 2022.