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It’s not the first time for former DA secretary Manny Piñol and Governor Emmylou Mendoza to run against each other
GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – Former agriculture secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol has launched his bid for Cotabato province’s top post, challenging reelectionist Governor Emmylou Taliño Mendoza.
Piñol submitted his candidacy documents to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Kidapawan City late in the afternoon on Tuesday, October 8, setting up another face-off with Mendoza. Piñol lost to Mendoza in the 2013 gubernatorial race.
Mendoza filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) on Sunday, October 6, seeking reelection for a second term.
After winning as governor in 2013, Mendoza, the province’s second female governor, served a full three terms, or nine years, in office. Before becoming governor, Mendoza represented the 1st District of Cotabato in the House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007.
In the 2019 elections, Mendoza ran for vice governor as the running mate of her father, Rogelio, a former military man and mayor of Carmen town, who was aspiring for the gubernatorial post.
That year, Mendoza won against Socrates Piñol, Manny’s brother, while Rogelio lost by a small margin to Nancy Catamco in the gubernatorial race.
In 2022, Mendoza returned as Cotabato governor, frustrating Catamco’s reelection bid for a second term.
Piñol is known as a farmer, journalist, rural development advocate, and politician. He is the son of Bernardo Piñol, an educator who also served as a member of the Cotabato provincial board.
He also served as Cotabato governor for three full terms, from 1998 to 2007. He later ran for vice governor, won, and served a term from 2007 to 2010.
In 2016, he was appointed agriculture secretary by then-president Rodrigo Duterte, serving until 2019, before being named chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). – Rappler.com
