Commission on Elections. INQUIRER FILES
KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato — Old political families still dominate next year’s elections in Cotabato province.
Former Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol is making a comeback in the gubernatorial race, running against reelectionist Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza.
Mendoza’s father Roger Taliño and brother Ryan are both running for their second term as mayor and vice mayor, respectively in Carmen town while the governor’s daughter Ma. Allana Samantha Santos is seeking reelection unopposed for her second term as representative of the province’s 3rd district.
Also running for governor against Piñol and Mendoza is Manuel Adajar.
Piñol, also a former chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda), also has several of his family members either occupying or vying for electoral posts.
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Mendoza’s niece Rochelle Marie Taray-Taliño will challenge Piñol’s younger brother, Vice Governor Efren Piñol, who is running for his second term.
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Two more Piñol’s are also seeking positions in the provincial board, namely: Dr. Ma. Krista Solis-Piñol, who seeks reelection as board member in the 2nd district of Cotabato; and Board Member Socrates Piñol, who is vying for a seat in the 3rd district.
Joselito Piñol is running for mayor in Mlang town against Emmanuel Abonado and two other candidates.
Former 2nd district Representative and Vice Mayor Bernardo Piñol is running for city councilor while his brother Gerry Piñol is seeking reelection as municipal councilor in Mlang.
Emmanuel Piñol also ran against Mendoza in the 2013 gubernatorial race but he lost.
Meanwhile, in Kabacan town reelectionist husband and wife Herlo and Evangeline Guzman are running unopposed for mayor and vice mayor, respectively.
In President Roxas town, father and son Jaime and Jonathan Mahimpit are only swapping positions for mayor and vice mayor as they run against less-known candidates.
In Magpet, the son and father tandem of Jay Laurence and Florenito Gonzaga seeks reelection for mayor and vice mayor, respectively. They are being challenged by brothers Rofel and Roy Pelonio, representing the Manobo tribe.
In Matalam, Mayor Oscar Valdevieso and his daughter former Vice Mayor Gigi Valdevieso-Catamco run in tandem against Vice Mayor Ralph Ryan Rafael and Councilor Mylene April Babol.
In Pikit, Vice Mayor Muhiryn Sultan-Casi is merely swapping positions with her father, Mayor Sumulong Sultan. They are running unopposed.
In Antipas, Mayor Christobal Cadungon is running against his brother Vice Mayor Egidio Cadungon Jr. for the post of mayor.
Alamada Mayor Jesus Sacdalan seeks reelection with son, municipal councilor Victor Sacdalan, as his vice mayor. Another son Joel is running for his 3rd term in the province’ first district seat in the House of Representatives against Dr. Edwin Cruzado, a provincial board member.
Sacdalan’s nephew Rolando is also running for mayor in Midsayap town against Romeo Araña, who is seeking a comeback.
Several members of political clans are also vying for posts in Kidapawan City, Cotabato’s provincial capital.
Mayor Jose Paolo Evangelista is running for his second term against Councilor Rochelle Gantuangco-Zoreta, daughter of former Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco.
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Evangelista’s father, 2nd district Board Member Joseph Evangelista, is seeking his second term.
