Ace Durano: Face-off with Gwen is like scaling Mt. Apo
CEBU CITY – Ranged against incumbent Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, former Tourism Secretary Ace Durano has likened his gubernatorial bid to scaling Mt. Apo.
Durano on Thursday, October 7, filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for Cebu governor at the provincial office of the Commission on Elections located at the Legislative Building of the Capitol compound.
Durano’s running mate, Cebu Vice Governor Hilario Davide III also filed his COC.
Garcia is scheduled to file her COC on Friday but has yet to announce her running mate.
Durano is aware that odds are stacked against him after majority of Cebu mayors, including some of his relatives, have jumped to One Cebu, the political party headed by the Garcias.
“Have you tried scaling Mt. Apo?,” Durano posed this question when asked to comment his chances of winning the province’s highest government position.
“Tungason kayo ni (This is going to be an uphill climb,” said Durano in Cebuano.
Durano promised to provide the Cebuanos a stable healthcare system should he win as governor.
Duano has said that he decided to run for governor because of the way the COVID-19 situation in the province is being managed.
Durano said there could have been lesser COVID-19 deaths in the province if the provincial and district hospitals were better equipped.
“For me, it’s about preparation. We knew from the start what could be the effects of COVID-19. What should have done at the time was to equip our hospitals but they did not prepare,” said Durano.
Durano said if chosen by the Cebuanos, he will push for the regularization of medical personnel instead of outsourcing.
The former Cebu Fifth District Representation also vowed to strengthen the province’s tourism industry.
Aside from Durano, the entire slate of Bakud also filed their COCs.
The party’s chairperson, former Cebu 5th District Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano Vi, filed his COC for a congressional seat in the Fifth District and will go up against incumbent Rep. Duke Frasco, the son-in-law of Garcia.