GUBERNATORIAL FACE-OFF: Former Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol (left) and incumbent North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza (right) display their certificates of candidacy as they prepare to face off in the 2025 gubernatorial race. This is their second contest for the province's highest post. (Photos courtesy of Sec. Piñol and former Vice Gov. Neneng Macasarte)
COTABATO CITY – Former Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol is set to challenge incumbent Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza for the top gubernatorial post in North Cotabato in the May 2025 midterm elections.
Piñol, also a former chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) under the PDP-Laban party on Tuesday, just hours before the filing deadline. His COC was submitted at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City.
“I decided to offer myself again to serve the people of Cotabato as governor, a position I held from 1998 to 2007. My vision is to transform our province into a vibrant agro-industrial production zone through the implementation of Corporate Governance,” Piñol said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
This will mark the second gubernatorial face-off between Piñol and Mendoza. In their previous contest during the 2013 elections, Mendoza triumphed over Piñol. Mendoza, seeking her second term, filed her COC on Oct. 6.
Vice Governor race
Piñol’s younger brother, incumbent Vice Governor Efren Piñol, is also seeking reelection under the PDP-Laban party. He is being challenged by Rochella Marie Taliño Taray, a candidate from the Lakas-CMD party.
The elder Piñol acknowledged the difficulty of his decision to return to politics, given the financial constraints and the formidable political machinery backing the current provincial administration.
“My return to politics will not derail my advocacy to promote agricultural development in Cotabato and across the country,” the former agriculture secretary said.
He is currently preparing to launch the Halal Beef Production Program in Kidapawan City, while continuing his work with agricultural lectures and demonstrations.
Manuel Adajar has also entered the gubernatorial race, though political analysts view the Piñol-Mendoza rivalry as the most significant contest.
Congressional contests
In the third congressional district, Rep. Samantha Taliño-Santos, daughter of Gov. Mendoza, is running unopposed for a second term.
In the second district, incumbent Rep. Rudy Caoagdan is facing a challenge from former Rep. Gregorio Andolana, while in the first district, Rep. Joselito Sacdalan will compete against Board Member Edwin Cruzado. (PNA)
