Dulce Ann Hofer
Dulce Ann Kintanar Hofer-Santos is a Filipina educator and politician from the province of Zamboanga Sibugay. She is currently the Governor of Zamboanga Sibugay since 2022.
Personal life
Hofer was born on June 3, 1967 in Cebu City. She is the daughter of the founding father and 1st Governor of Zamboanga Sibugay, George Hofer and Dr. Dulce Kintanar. She is married to Roderick R. Santos, her cousin is incumbent representative, Doc. Marly Hofer–Hasim of Zamboanga Sibugay's 2nd congressional district and her nephew is incumbent Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Pava Hofer, both were elected in 2025 [Zamboanga Sibugay local elections|2025].
Education
Hofer has a number of higher education diplomas, including:
She has had further executive education at the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and the Asian Institute of Management.
Political career
Hofer ran and won as representative of the then-newly created 2nd legislative district of Zamboanga Sibugay in the 2007 local elections.
2010 Gubernatorial run
She ran for governor of Zamboanga Sibugay in 2010 to replace her father, incumbent governor George Hofer, but was defeated by Rommel Jalosjos.
House of Representatives (2013 - 2022)
She ran for congresswoman in 2013 against incumbent congressman Romeo Jalosjos Jr., and was successful. She would proceed to win in the 2016 and 2019 local elections. In the 17th Congress, Hofer served as the Chairperson of the Philippine [House Committee on Higher and Technical Education].
In the 18th Congress, she was the Chairperson of the Philippine House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and was as member of the House Committee on Appropriations. On July 10, 2020, Hofer is among the 70 representatives who voted to reject the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.
Governor of Zamboanga Sibugay (2022 - present)
2022 elections
In the 2022 local elections, she was term limited, opted to run again for governor of Zamboanga Sibugay, and defeated the incumbent 1st District of Zamboanga Sibugay Wilter "Sharky" Palma II.
2025 elections
In the 2025 local elections, she again ran for re-election for Governor of Zamboanga Sibugay and defeated Incumbent 1st District Board Member, Yvonne Palma.
Military career
In 2020, alongside Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, Hofer was appointed lieutenant colonel in the Philippine Air Force reserve by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.