Ramon Durano Sr.’s “political chain”
The Legendary Political Kingpin of Cebu, Ramon “Manoy Amon” Durano, son of Demetrio Tan Durano and Bibiana Mercado built a “political chain” that up to now remains strong. Noy Amon, born on December 24, 1905, was destined for greatness. He became a protégé of Don Mariano Jesus Cuenco, the first Cebuano to become Senate president. Ramon married Beatriz Duterte, daughter of Severo Buot Duterte and Felisa Ypil. Severo is the brother of Facundo, the father of lawyers Vicente and Ramon, who became mayor of Danao and Cebu City, respectively. Vicente is the father of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Ramon’s sister, Elisea, married Paulo Almendras, son of Juan Almendras and Cecilia Gonzales. Paulo and Elisea had the following children: Cecilia (who became OIC governor of Davao del Norte), Priscillano (elected vice governor of Cebu during the term of Governor Rene Espina, Priscillano was acting Cebu governor on February 4, 1964 when the Provincial Board enacted a resolution donating 201 lots of the province to Cebu City, who had Sergio “Serging” Osmena Jr. as mayor), Jovenal, Josefino, and Alejandro.
Vicente Duterte who was appointed mayor of Danao by President Sergio Osmeña was replaced by President Manuel Roxas with Pedro Sepulveda. Vicente left Cebu and came to Davao where he became the beneficiary of the political power of Alejandro (son of Paulo Almendras). Vicente became governor of Davao with the endorsement of Alejandro (more known as Landring) who became a senator.
In Danao, while Mayor Pedro Sepulveda reigned in the municipality he was replaced by Governor Serging Osmeña with Pedro Tecla as acting mayor. On May 25, 1952, Tecla was shot dead by Manuel Yray, the vice mayor with him was Ramon Durano. Yray and Durano were both prosecuted for the crime, in 1954 the Court of First Instance sentenced Yray to 17 years imprisonment but acquitted Durano. Thereafter, Governor Serging Osmeña appointed Josefino Almendras (father of former cabinet secretary Rene Almendras and Agnes who married Justice Arsenio Magpale) as Mayor of Danao. Josefino married Rosita Dimataga, she became vice mayor of Danao Mayor Beatriz Duterte Durano. Rosita is the sister of Leonila Dimataga who married President Carlos P. Garcia. Rosita’s brother Mariano became the last municipal mayor of Opon and the first Lapu-Lapu City Mayor.
Ramon Durano then became congressman of the old 1st District of Cebu (Bogo, Tabogon, Borbon, Sogod, Catmon, Carmen, Danao, Pilar, Tudela, Poro, and San Francisco). Ramon and Beatriz Duterte had the following children: Beatriz (who married Lawyer Emerito S. “Tito” Calderon, who became congressman of the old 5th District of Cebu, his son is now congressman of the 7th District of Cebu), Lydia, Ramon Jr. (Danao mayor from 1971 to 1986), Jesus (Don), Rosemarie (married Celestino “Dodong” Sybico), Thaddeus (Deo) and Ramon III, who became congressman of the 5th District of Cebu like his two sons.
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