Boholano actor and 2010 gubernatorial candidate Cesar Montano has been appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as chief operating officer of the Tourism Promotions Board (PTB).

Montano’s appointment as head of the Department of Tourism’s marketing arm was confirmed by DOT Sec. Wenda Teo after the launch of “Pasko sa Intramuros” at the historic walled city in Manila on Tuesday.

According to Teo, Montano as PTB COO has also been tasked to support preparations for the Miss Universe pageant in the country on January 30, 2017.

She said that Montano will formally assume office on the third week of December.

He will be replacing Domingo Ramon “Chicoy” Enerio III who is also a Boholano.

The 54-year-old Montano, also a film producer and director, is the 7^th Boholano to be selected by Duterte to hold a key position in his government.

Other Boholano appointees are Cabinet Secretary and chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Leoncio Evasco Jr, Socio-Economic Planning Sec. Ernesto Pernia, Department of Transportation and Communications Asst. Sec. Arturo Evangelista, Office of the Civil Defense chief Ricardo Jalad, state weather bureau administrator Vicente Malano and Department of Foreign Affairs Asst. Sec. Frank Cimafranca.

In 2012, Montano was appointed by former president Benigno Aquino III as a member of the Optical Media Board (OMB), the agency tasked to curb film and music piracy in the country.

He ran for Bohol governor under the Liberal Party and senator in 2010 and 2007, respectively, but lost in both attempts. (Rey Tutas)