Cebu gubernatorial race seen as contest between Garcia, Durano

CEBU CITY—Cebu’s gubernatorial race in 2022 may be a fight between Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and former Tourism secretary Joseph Ace Durano.

Durano recently said he was open to running for governor of Cebu against Garcia.

In a statement, the Durano-led Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (BAKUD) party said Ace is listening to different sectors asking him to run for governor.

“Especially with everything going around the province, particularly how the health crisis is being handled and how the health sector is not being prioritized, a lot of organizations have asked Ace to take the lead. Ace is considering it, but a lot of things are still being weighed in,” said Ace’s brother and former Rep. Red Durano.

Ace served as Cebu’s fifth district congressman from 1998 to 2004.

During the term of former President Macapagal-Arroyo, Ace was appointed as secretary of the Department of Tourism from 2004 to 2010.

In 2016, Ace, a scion of the Durano clan of Cebu, also became the campaign manager of Senator Grace Poe during her presidential campaign.

Red admitted that his brother has been “going around” the province to talk to some sectors.

“If he decides to run, he wants to hear from the people first,” Red said.

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