DAVAO CITY -- A week after being elected governor of the Province of Cotabato, incumbent Vice Governor Emmylou "Lala" Taliño-Mendoza reflected on the lessons she learned during the campaign period.
As a seasoned politician, Mendoza admitted that winning in an election has no exact formula. By that admission, she meant ‘you need to constantly innovate and connect with the people.’
Moreover, she pointed out that her track record as a former governor and a former representative has also propelled her to victory.
"Also, don't discredit your opponents because it would be awkward when you see each other again especially during proclamation," the incumbent vice governor reminded.
Mendoza, who was proclaimed by the Commission on Elections May 11, received 310, 681 votes while her rival incumbent Governor Nancy Catamco got 296, 330 votes or a difference of 14, 351 votes.
Catamco, who was a former representative of Cotabato's 3rd District from 2010 to 2019, won in 10 towns and a city of the province, but Mendoza won in seven municipalities with big margins, particularly in her hometown of Carmen where she walloped Catamco with over 30, 0000-vote difference.
The governor-elect also dominated in Pikit town with 17, 054 votes compared to Catamco's 7,095 votes.
In her return as governor, Mendoza is set to make history in the province as she could be the first governor to make a comeback after finishing a nine-year term.
It was then incumbent vice governor Manny Piñol who made the first attempt to return as governor in 2010 after he finished his nine-year term from 1998 to 2007.
But Mendoza defeated Piñol in the gubernatorial race twice in 2010 and in a rematch in 2013 elections.
"310,000 plus votes is such an overwhelming and humbling number of trust and confidence shown by Cotabateños. I commit to give my sincerest service and time guided by the four pillars of governance," she vowed.