Durano-led party back’s Gwen’s foe for gubernatorial race in Cebu

Local

THE Durano political clan of Danao City has officially endorsed the gubernatorial candidacy of Pamela "Pam" Baricuatro, who is challenging reelectionist Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

This after the family’s patriarch, incumbent Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon "Nito" Durano III, expressed his local party Bakud’s endorsement of Baricuatro.

During a press conference held at the Durano compound in Danao City on Friday, October 11, he emphasized that their support for Baricuatro was aimed at bringing change to the Cebu Provincial Government.

"Yes, para sa kausaban, I will support Pam Baricuatro," Durano said.

MyTV Cebu tried to reach Baricuatro for comment but to no avail.

This is not the first time the Durano family has backed a candidate running against Garcia. In 2022, Nito’s son, former Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, also ran for governor of Cebu but was unable to defeat Garcia.

The press conference also served to introduce the full slate of the Durano bloc for the 2025 midterm elections.

Nito Durano himself is seeking a comeback as mayor of Danao City, while his son, current Mayor Thomas Mark "Mix" Durano, is running for the Fifth District Representative seat.

Mix Durano will face incumbent Congressman and Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco, the husband of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, who is Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s daughter.

"We will start from the bottom. Kung kinahanglan mag-house-to-house, buhaton nako. Hangyo sa mga katawhan nga makita nila akong mga pangandoy ug vision nila, ug confident ko nga they will be with me," Mix Durano said.

The team also addressed the shift in political alliances, particularly their former ally Migs Magpale, son of former Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, who filed his candidacy for mayor to challenge the Duranos.

"We are a free country, a democracy. So, para nako, you can do anything," Nito Durano said.

He added that they had anticipated the Magpales' challenge and had even tried to discuss the matter.

Additionally, Carmen Remedios "Ivy" Durano, Nito’s daughter, will be his running mate, while his eldest son, Ramon "Red" Durano VI, is running for mayor of Poro town in the Camotes Islands.(MyTVCebu)