Cebu (CNN Philippines, September 30) — Former Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano announced on Thursday that he will run against Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for the province’s top post in the May 2022 polls.
He said he is coming out from his private life to give in to the public clamor to vie for the post, with incumbent Cebu Vice Gov. Hilario Davide III as his running mate.
Durano criticized how Garcia is handling the COVID-19 pandemic in Cebu, saying it will take the province longer to recover from the health crisis if the current government response continues.
“If we remain to address it the way we are currently doing so, then this pandemic would affect us for a much-prolonged time,” he said in a statement sent to local reporters.
He served as the Tourism chief of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He also served as Congressman of Cebu’s 5th District, which is now occupied by Garcia’s son-in-law, Rep. Duke Frasco.
Garcia, who earlier described Durano as a “worthy opponent,” has yet to announce her running mate.
