KIDAPAWAN CITY – A three-corned gubernatorial race in North Cotabato is looming with incumbent Vice Gov. Manny Piñol and “graduating” 1st District Rep. Emilou Taliño-Mondoza poised to challenge Gov. Jesus Sacdalan.

Sacdalan and Piñol, whose 11-year political team-up ended early this year over policy differences, have both declared to slug it out in the gubernatorial race.

Three-termer Mondoza has yet to declare his bid for governor, but her own supporters have allegedly said in their countryside campaign networking that she would “surely join” the gubernatorial race.

Sources close to the three political leaders said Sacdalan, Piñol and Mendoza eyed Board Members Jose Tejada, Romeo Araña and Rey Pagal as their respective team-mates for vice governor.

Piñol, a former deskman and sports columnist of Tempo, finished his three terms as governor in 2007 with Sacdalan as his vice governor for the same number of terms.

He ran for vice governor in the 2007 elections with the latter as his standard bearer and they defeated the tandem of former Mayor Roger Taliño, father of the lady solon, and former 2nd District Rep. Gregorio Ipong.

The provincial electorate expects the three-corner gubernatorial race to be spectacular because Sacdalan, Piñol and Mendoza have been undefeated in past elections.