CEBU, Philippines — The Durano-led Barug Alang Sa Kauswagan Ug Demokrasya (BAKUD) party has officially endorsed Pamela Baricuatro as its gubernatorial candidate for the 2025 midterm elections.
BAKUD party president and incumbent Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III said they will support Baricuatro for a “change.”
“Yes, para sa kausaban, I will support Pam Baricuatro…yes, that’s official, we are supporting Pam Baricuatro,” said Durano during a press conference yesterday, October 11.
Baricuatro is also backed by the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) Party in Cebu, led by dismissed Cebu City mayor Michael Rama.
Rama, during the launching of Team Liberate Cebu on Thursday, endorsed Baricuatro as their candidate for governor. During the event Rama expressed hope the Duranos would join their team.
Reacting to Rama’s statement, Nito said he will consider a collaboration of their parties.
“That’s the first time I heard about it. I haven’t talked about it with Mayor Mike. So, we will consider it,” said the BAKUD president.
In Danao City, incumbent Mayor Thomas Mark “Mix” Durano is seeking the congressional seat for the fifth district. Mix will be running against the incumbent Congressman Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco.
He shared that running for a higher post was his own decision, believing that he can do a lot more for the district especially that Danao is the only city in the fifth district.
“Being a congressman in ten municipalities and one city is a big responsibility. Usa na sa akong nabati nga kusog, nga confident ko with this achievement,” said the incumbent mayor.
The fifth district is composed of Danao City along with the nearby municipalities in the northeast such as Borbon, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Liloan, and Sogod, as well as the Camotes Islands which include, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, and Tudela.
Mix Durano said having the congressional position can make the implementation of the plans and projects for the district easier and faster.
“We all know sa national government it’s easy for us to talk important people and big people…With that chance, ang kaning among plano, what we laid out, ma implement sooner mas dali,” said Mix.
On the other hand, Nito will be running again as city mayor of Danao with Carmen Remedios “Ivy” Durano as his running mate. The tandem assured to continue the city’s roadmap as laid by Mayor Mix Durano.
“Of course, I have to be in parallel with the vision and the direction of my father who is running mayor for Danao City, definitely we have identified also our priorities, and agenda in continuation to what Mayor Mix have started,” said Ivy.
To recall, the Danao City 2028 roadmap directs the city to achieve its goal to be a model for sustainable development with globally competent residents which was one of the highlights during the 2024 State of the City Address last July.
Meanwhile, with the mayors and officials switching of alliances and joining forces to the dominant political party in the province, former congressman Ramon “Red” Durano VI said what matter most are dedication to achieve the vision and good governance.
“I don’t think it’s a matter of alliances, I believe it’s a matter of having a vision and having the dedication to achieve the vision, and most importantly it’s about good governance,” said Red Durano.
He said that Danao City did their own to achieve the recognitions of the city emphasizing the importance of utilizing the resources available.
“Well, it has been proven these 3 years nga without a governor, without congresswoman we did it on our own… we were being recognized as one of the most improved cities in the Philippines,” said Durano.
“Kung unsay resources nimo, ug imo lang gamiton sa ensakto you can achieve everything and Danao City is a proof of that,” he added.
Red Durano is also seeking a mayoral post in Poro town in Camotes islands in the upcoming elections along with Eastern Poblacion Barangay Captain Butch Paranas as his runningmate.
Present during the official meeting of the party were Cebu Provincial Board aspirants Binky Sybico and Adrian “Doc Adi” Pilones and BAKUD party councilorial slate Jed Almendras; Pangging Arias; Dax Banzon; Monching Durano; Ram Duterte; Atty. Glee Hermosilla; Roland Perez; Danny Roble; Jojo Roble; and Calvin Tuadles. (CEBU NEWS)