Dulce Ann Hofer

In this Philippine name for married women, the birth middle name or maternal family name is Kintanar, the birth surname or paternal family name is Hofer, and the marital name is Santos.

Dulce Ann Hofer-Santos (born Dulce Ann Kintanar Hofer, June 3, 1967) is a Filipina educator and politician from the province of Zamboanga Sibugay. She is currently the Governor of Zamboanga Sibugay since 2022.

The Honorable Dulce Ann Hofer
Hofer in 2023.
4th Governor of Zamboanga Sibugay
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2022
Vice Governor	Rey Andre Olegario (2022–2025) Ric-Ric Olegario (2025-Present)
Preceded by	Wilter Palma Sr.
Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
In office July 22, 2019 – June 30, 2022
Succeeded by	Maria Rachel Arenas
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Zamboanga Sibugay's 2nd district
In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2022
Preceded by	Romeo Jalosjos Jr.
Succeeded by	Antonieta Eudela
In office June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2010
Preceded by	Constituency created
Succeeded by	Romeo Jalosjos Jr.
Personal details
Born	Dulce Ann Kintanar Hofer (1967-06-03) June 3, 1967 (age 58) Cebu City, Philippines
Political party	PFP (since 2023)
Other political affiliations	PDP–Laban (2016–2023) Liberal (2011–2016) Lakas (2003–2011)
Spouse	Roderick R. Santos[1][2]
Relations	Marly Hofer-Hasim (cousin)
Parents	George Hofer (father) Dulce Kintanar (mother)
Residence	Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay[2]
Alma mater	Ateneo de Manila University (BBA) University of the Philippines Cebu (MBA) University of the Philippines Diliman (D.P.A)
Occupation	Educator and Politician
Profession	Businessperson
Nicknames	Ann Hofer Ann K. Hofer Doc. Ann
Military service
Allegiance	Philippines
Branch/service	Philippine Air Force
Years of service	2020-Present
Rank	Lieutenant colonel (reserve)

Personal life

Hofer was born on June 3, 1967 in Cebu City. She is the daughter of the founding father and 1st Governor of Zamboanga Sibugay, George Hofer and Doc. Dulce Kintanar.^[3] She is married to Roderick R. Santos,^[2] her cousin is incumbent representative, Doc. Marly Hofer–Hasim of Zamboanga Sibugay's 2nd congressional district and her nephew is incumbent Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Pava Hofer,^[4] both were elected in 2025.^[5]

Education

Hofer has a number of higher education diplomas, including:

• Bachelor of Business Administration from Ateneo de Manila University
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of the Philippines Cebu
• Doctor of Public Administration from the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance.

She has had further executive education at the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and the Asian Institute of Management.

Political career

House of Representatives (2007 - 2010)

Hofer ran and won as representative of the then-newly created 2nd legislative district of Zamboanga Sibugay in the 2007 local elections.

2010 Gubernational run

She ran for governor of Zamboanga Sibugay in 2010 to replace her father, incumbent (at the time) governor George Hofer, but was defeated by Rommel Jalosjos.

House of Representatives (2013 - 2022)

2013, 2016, and 2019 elections

She ran for congresswoman in 2013 against incumbent congressman Romeo Jalosjos Jr., and was successful.^[6] She would proceed to win in the 2016 and 2019 local elections.^[7][8] In the 17th Congress, Hofer served as the Chairperson of the Philippine House Committee on Higher and Technical Education.

18th Congress

Hofer's official portrait during the 18th Congress

In the 18th Congress, she was the Chairperson of the Philippine House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and was as member of the House Committee on Appropriations. On July 10, 2020, Hofer is among the 70 representatives who voted to reject the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.^[9]

Governor of Zamboanga Sibugay (2022 - present)

2022 elections

Hofer as Governor

In the 2022 local elections, she was term limited, opted to run again for governor of Zamboanga Sibugay, and defeated the incumbent 1st District of Zamboanga Sibugay Wilter "Sharky" Palma II.^[10]

2025 elections

In the 2025 local elections, she again ran for re-election for Governor of Zamboanga Sibugay and defeated Incumbent 1st District Board Member, Yvonne Palma. ^[11]

Military career

In 2020, alongside Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, Hofer was appointed lieutenant colonel in the Philippine Air Force reserve by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.^[12]

Electoral history

2025

Main article: 2025 Zamboanga Sibugay local elections

2025 Zamboanga Sibugay's gubernational election

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Dulce Ann Hofer (Incumbent)	PFP	211,433	61.96
	Yvonne Palma	Lakas-CMD	129,783	38.04
Total			341,216	100.00
Registered voters/turnout			428,422	–
	Partido Federal ng Pilipinas hold
Source: [13]

2022

Main article: 2022 Zamboanga Sibugay local elections

2022 Zamboanga Sibugay's gubernational election

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Dulce Ann Hofer	PDP-Laban	168,373	53.80
	Wilter "Sharky" Palma II	Lakas-CMD	143,539	45.86
	Jose Policarpio Jr.	Independent	763	0.24
	Peping Tu	Independent	309	0.10
Total			312,984	100.00
Registered voters/turnout			339,351	–
	PDP-Laban gain from Lakas-CMD
Source: [14]

2019

2019 Zamboanga Sibugay's 2nd District election

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Dulce Ann Hofer (incumbent)	PDP-Laban	96,788	62.30
	Antonieta “Ate Tata” Eudela	PMP	58,572	37.70
Total			155,360	100.00
	PDP-Laban hold
Source: [15]

2016

2016 Zamboanga Sibugay's 2nd District election

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Dulce Ann Hofer (incumbent)	Liberal	119,115	94.42
	Edgar Alegre	PDP-Laban	7,043	5.58
Total			126,158	100.00
	Liberal hold
Source: [16]

2010

2010 Zamboanga Sibugay's gubernational election

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Rommel Jalosjos	Nacionalista	121,441	52.92
	Dulce Ann Hofer	Lakas-Kampi	107,276	46.75
	Lodrito Sabaiton	Independent	763	0.33
Total			229,480	100.00
	Nacionalista gain from Lakas-Kampi