Profile :: The Honorable JESUS G. DUREZA
Office of the Press Secretary
Website: http://www.ops.gov.ph
Former Presidential Adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza assumed his new post as
Press Secretary last June 16, 2008, replacing Hon. Ignacio Bunye who is set
to join the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Monetary Board the next month.
Aside from his former post as the President’s adviser on the peace process,
Dureza was also the Philippine signing minister to the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Philippines-East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), and Mindanao Super Region Development
Champion.
A lawyer, the new press secretary also served as the official spokesman of then
President Fidel V. Ramos for two years (1998-2000); and as spokesman of the House
of Representatives for five years (1987-1989; 1992-1995).
A two-term congressman of the first district of Davao City (1987-1989; 1992-1995),
Dureza was at the same time director of the governing board of the Philippine
Coconut Authority in1989-1992.
He would later become chairman of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (1998);
Presidential Assistant for Mindanao (1998); chairman of the Government Peace
Negotiating Panel for Talks with the MILF, Feb. 2001-May 2003; and chairman of
the Mindanao Economic Development Council, 2001–January 2006.
A graduate of Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) from the Ateneo de Davao University
in 1967, Dureza placed 10th in the Philippine Bar Examinations (1973). He was
a “Datu Bago Awardee,” the highest award given to a Davaoeño;
and had received the Presidential Award of Merit from former President Fidel
V. Ramos in June 1998.
Born on 24 December 1947 in Guimbal, Iloilo City, Dureza started out as correspondent
of Manila Times until 1972; editor of the Mindanao Times in Davao City, 1972
to 1987; and correspondent of Manila Bulletin until 1987.
