Manny Piñol

Emmanuel "Manny" Fantin Piñol (born December 16, 1953) is a Filipino politician, journalist, writer, agriculture advocate and agribusinessman. He served in President Rodrigo Duterte's cabinet as chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (2019–2021) and Secretary of Agriculture (2016–2019).

Born and raised in M'lang, Cotabato, he served as the town's mayor from 1995 to 1998. He then served as governor (1998–2007) and vice governor (2007–2010) of Cotabato. He had also worked for the National Grains Authority and was previously a radio and print journalist.

Early life and education Piñol was born on December 16, 1953, in Bialong, M'lang, in the then-undivided province of Cotabato. He is the second eldest of 11 children born into an immigrant Karay-a family from Dingle and Pototan in Iloilo. His siblings include, from oldest to youngest, Patricio Piñol, Magpet Mayor Efren Piñol, Cotabato 2nd District Representative Bernardo Piñol, Jr., M'lang Mayor Joselito Piñol, Noli Piñol Sr., Gerardo Piñol, Ferdinand Piñol, Nilo Piñol, and Cotabato Provincial Board member Socrates Piñol. He grew up in the family's rice farm and completed his primary, intermediate, and secondary education in M'lang where he was class valedictorian.

He worked in media starting in 1976. He was a disc jockey for DXCM, the radio station of the University of Mindanao, and a radio journalist and newswriter for DXMS in Cotabato City. In the same year, he became an editor for the Philippine News Agency where he worked for 4 years. His career in media also includes serving as senior copy editor and sports columnist for Tempo. He was also a writer for Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan III and President Fidel Ramos prior to becoming mayor of M'lang.

Barred from seeking another term in 2007, Piñol ran as vice governor of Cotabato and won with his former vice governor Jesus Sacdalan becoming the new governor. He was also named as the point person for Cotabato. He was the third member of President Rodrigo Duterte's Cabinet to join PDP–Laban, along with Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

He became chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) after being appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to replace Abul Khayr Alonto, who died on May 9, 2019, due to lung and heart complications. During his time as chairman, he went to the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) in 2020 as one of the panelists. On October 5, 2021, Piñol resigned from MinDA and PDP–Laban to file his candidacy for the 2022 Senate election; he rejoined the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC). He did not win a seat.

Piñol ran again for governor of Cotabato in the 2025 elections. He lost to the incumbent Emmylou Mendoza for a third time.

Personal life Piñol is married to Emily Asentista and they have 3 children: Maria Krista, Josa Bernadette, and Bernhart Immanuel. and Hiligaynon, he also speaks fluent Cebuano, Tagalog and English.

Piñol also hosted DZRH's Biyaheng Bukid during Duterte's campaign season, eventually getting the early Saturday morning slot, but still reports in Damdaming Bayan's first part.