Incoming press secretary makes first appearance

The incoming press secretary made his first media appearance in Cebu yesterday.

Former Davao City first district representative Jesus Dureza will assume his post as the new press secretary on June 16.

“We will be bringing the national government closer to the ground. I will be accessible to the media especially in the province,” Dureza said during the press briefing of the 4th National Infrastructure Forum held yesterday at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Dureza is currently the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Oversight to Mindanao Economic Development Council.

Born on December 24, 1947, Dureza was an editor of the Mindanao Times in Davao City from 1972 to 1987, TV host of “Brainstorm” in Davao City and a correspondent of the Manila Times and Manila Bulletin.

A lawyer by profession, Dureza had ranked 10th in the 1973 Philippine Bar Examinations. He graduated cum laude in Bachelor of Arts from the Ateneo de Davao University in 1967.

He joined politics in l986.

Dureza has served more than 20 various government positions, including being chairman of the Mindanao Super Region and member of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao oversight committee.

He was also the spokesman of former president Fidel V. Ramos from 1999 to 2000 after his stint as Presidential Assistant for Mindanao in 1998.

He was also designated as spokesman of House of Representatives from 1987 to 1989 and from 1992 to 1995.

Dureza is married to Elizabeth Salutillo, with whom they have four children. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP