Ramon Durano VI

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Hotchkiss and the surname or paternal family name is Durano.

Ramon Hotchkiss Durano VI (born February 7, 1969), also known as Red Durano, is a Filipino businessman and politician. A member of the Nationalist People's Coalition, he was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines in a 2005 special election, succeeding his brother Joseph Ace Durano as the Representative of the Fifth District of Cebu, following his appointment as Secretary of the Department of Tourism.

Ramon Durano VI
Official portrait as a member of the House of Representatives. 17th Congress
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Cebu's Fifth District
In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2019
Preceded by	Joseph Ace Durano
Succeeded by	Vincent Franco D. Frasco
In office June 9, 2005 – June 30, 2013
Preceded by	Joseph Ace Durano
Succeeded by	Joseph Ace Durano
Vice Mayor of Danao
In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2016
Preceded by	Ramon Durano III
Succeeded by	Thomas Mark H. Durano
Personal details
Born	(1969-02-07) February 7, 1969 (age 56) Cebu City, Philippines
Political party	PPP
Other political affiliations	NPC
Relations	Ace Durano (brother)
Parent(s)	Ramon "Nito" Durano III Elizabeth H. Durano
Residence	Danao
Alma mater	College of Notre Dame Belmont, California and Masters in Asian Institute of Management
Occupation	Businessman, politician

Early life

Red Durano was born on February 7, 1969 to politician Ramon "Nito" H. Durano III and Elizabeth Hotchkiss Durano. He is the older brother of politician Joseph Felix Mari ("Ace", born 1970), and is the grandson of Ramon M. Durano Sr. (1905–1988), both of whom also served as Cebu congressmen.

Political career

Durano in 2013

During the 15th Congress, Durano served as chairperson of the House Committee on Economic Affairs. He voted against the RH Bill in December 2012.^[1][2] During the 17th Congress he replaced Evelina Escudero as the chairperson of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture in March 2017,^[3] having voted in favor of the death penalty bill while Escudero voted against it.^[4][5] Additionally, Durano was also the vice chairperson of the House Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy and the House Committee on Ways and Means.

He is known as the "Father of Cooperativism" in the fifth district of Cebu. As a political figure, he is the Party President of the local political party, Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (BAKUD). Under his leadership, the party has wielded solid support from among the residents of the 5th District of Cebu which comprises Liloan, Compostela, Carmen, Cebu, Catmon, Cebu, Sogod, Borbon, San Francisco, Poro, Tudela, Pilar and Danao. He has authored various legislation aimed at socio-economic development particularly the reclassification of the Camotes Islands from timberland into alienable and disposable in order to usher in unprecedented economic growth. He has extended assistance to families in need especially during medical emergencies. He allocated appropriations at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Danao Provincial Hospital, Everseley Childs Sanitarium. He also extends scholarship to deserving college students and free skills training through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. He has ensured the building of roads and community centers in the 210 barangays of his district.

Red Durano as he is fondly called by the people finished his bachelor's degree from the College of Notre Dame in Belmont, California. He proceeded to take up a master's degree in Business from the Asian Institute of Management. He took over the family business and eventually made his way to public service. He served for three years as the Vice Mayor of Danao from 2013 to 2016.

In 2019, he lost his re-election bid to Lakas–CMD candidate Vincent "Duke" Frasco, although he contested the results before the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal.^[6][7] Durano attempted to run for congress once again in 2022, but was still defeated by Frasco.^[8]

Personal life

Durano, coming from a political dynasty, is the son of Danao Mayor Ramon Durano III, who also served for nine years as representative of the same district. His grandfather Ramon Durano Sr. also became congressman of Cebu's first district from 1949 to 1972, and was a fervent supporter of President Ferdinand Marcos.^[9][10][11]