Joseph Felix Mari "Ace" Hotchkiss Durano[1] (born April 3, 1970) is a Filipino politician who served as Secretary of Tourism under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He was also general manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), being appointed by Arroyo in 2008.[2]
Ace Durano | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2013 | |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Political party | Partido Pilipino sa Pagbabago (2021–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Liberal (2012–2021) NPC (1998–2012) |
| Occupation | Politician |
Political career edit
He also served twice as the Representative of Cebu's 5th congressional district: from 1998 to 2004 and from 2013 to 2016.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
In the 2022 local elections, Durano challenged incumbent governor Gwendolyn Garcia for the governorship of Cebu and lost. He ran alongside incumbent vice governor Hilario Davide III as his running mate.[3]
Controversies edit
Durano was convicted of graft by the Sandiganbayan over the development of the Department of Tourism 2009 wall calendar, worth PhP 2.7 million, which failed to undergo public bidding.[4] He filed a motion for reconsideration but it was denied by the court in February 2022.[5] The case is currently under appeal before the Supreme Court.[6]
References edit
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Ex-tourism chief Ace Durano to challenge Gwen Garcia in Cebu gubernatorial race". Rappler. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ 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.