Vicente Duterte, Acting Mayor of Danao, Cebu

Vicente Gonzales Duterte, of Danao, Cebu, who became a lawyer on February 27, 1940, was appointed by Don Sergio Suico Osmeña Sr., the President of the Philippines from August 1, 1944 to May 28, 1946 as acting mayor of Danao, Cebu.

The presidential appointment was dated January 4, 1946. The co-appointees of Vicente Duterte were Acting Vice Mayor Luis Almendras and councilors Narciso Lavador, Pelagio Fernandez, Jose Derecho, Anacleto Durano, Carlos M. Enriquez, and Constancio Batucan.

Vicente Duterte was the son of Facundo Buot Duterte and Zoila Gonzales. He married Soledad Roa and their son by the name of Rodrigo became a lawyer on January 20, 1973 (he signed in the roll of attorneys as a resident of Maasin, Southern Leyte). Vicente was born on November 23, 1911 and died on February 27, 1968. An elder brother of Vicente by the name of Ramon also became a lawyer and acting mayor of Cebu City. Same with the latter’s son, Ronald became a lawyer and Mayor of Cebu City.

Vicente was a political supporter of Don Sergio Osmeña, the founder of the Nacionalista Party who was defeated by Senator Manuel Roxas in the first presidential election after World War II on April 23, 1946. Senators Roxas and Quirino bolted the Nacionalista Party and created the Liberal Wing of the Nacionalista, which became a political party after they won in 1946 as president and vice president, respectively.

The political scene of Danao changed with the defeat of Don Sergio by Roxas, making the incumbency of Vicente Duterte brief. On June 5, 1947, President Manuel Roxas appointed his men to replace Duterte. On July 5, 1947, Roxas issued the appointment to the following: Mayor Pedro Sepulveda, Vice Mayor Aniceto Gonzales, and Councilor Eugenio Olivar. On January 24, 1948, Roxas appointed Trinidad Duterte as Councilor of Danao. When Quirino succeeded as president following the death of Roxas on April 15, 1948, he appointed Estanislao Roble as councilor on February 13, 1950.

Danao became a city by virtue of Republic Act 3028 enacted on June 7, 1961 and inaugurated on September 17, 1961. The officials in 1964 were Mayor Beatriz D. Durano (wife of Ramon Durano and daughter of Severo Buot Duterte and Felisa Ypil,) and Vice Mayor Rosita D. Almendras (daughter of Paulo Almendras and Elisea Mercado Durano). Severo, the father of Mayor Beatriz, and Facundo, the father of Mayor Vicente, were brothers.