Piñol files for Cotabato governor, challenges Mendoza

Former agriculture secretary Emmanuel "Manny" Piñol has filed his candidacy for Cotabato province's governorship under the PDP-Laban party, challenging incumbent Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza.

Piñol submitted his certificate of candidacy to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Kidapawan City on Tuesday, October 8, just hours before the filing deadline, while Mendoza filed hers on Sunday, October 6.

Before becoming governor, Mendoza represented Cotabato's 1st District in the House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007 and is now seeking reelection for a second term.

Piñol, known as a farmer, journalist, and rural development advocate, previously served three full terms as Cotabato governor from 1998 to 2007 and later as vice governor from 2007 to 2010. He was also appointed agriculture secretary in 2016 by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Piñol's younger brother, incumbent Vice Governor Efren Piñol, is seeking reelection under the PDP-Laban party and faces a challenge from Rochella Marie Taliño Taray of the Lakas-CMD party.