Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza reaffirmed her dedication to public service as she was officially sworn in for her second term together with other newly elected provincial officials at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium in Amas, Kidapawan City on Monday.
Mendoza obtained a new mandate after garnering 414,043 votes in the recently held 2025 local and national midterm elections on May 12.
She pledged to an even more robust and resilient governance, highlighting the significance of working together with Cotabateños and elected officials throughout the province, particularly Vice Governor Ella Taliño Taray, 1st District Representative Edwin Cruzado, 3rd District Representative Ma. Alana Samantha Santos, and Representative Raymond Democrito Mendoza of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, along with Sangguniang Panlalawigan members.
“Isang oportunidad na may kaakibat na mandatu at pananagutang panlipunan para sa ating lalawigan at sa bawat mamamayang Cotabateños. Isang tagumpay ng pagkakaisa,” Mendoza said in her inaugural message.
Mendoza emphasized her administration’s commitment to essential development initiatives, especially in agriculture and other priority sectors.
She highlighted the completion of significant infrastructure projects during her leadership, such as the Central Mindanao Airport (CMA), the Cotabato Agro-Industrial Park in M’lang, the Cotabato Provincial Hospital, the Renal Dialysis Center at M’lang District Hospital, and the Dr. Amado Diaz Provincial Foundation Hospital in Midsayap.
“We have worked and persevered to sustain the gains to make Cotabato stronger, a province that we can all be proud of. And now we need to safeguard our progress to ensure the best future for every Cotabateño,” she said.
The governor underscored that under her leadership, the direction is clear and that it is to continue to provide honest, fair, and caring service under her “Serbisyong Totoo” program.
“We have come a long way for our beloved Cotabato but still there is so much to be done. Habang ipinatutupad natin ang integridad, disiplina, at one-strike policy sa pamahalaang panlalawigan, ako’y nanawagan sa inyo na maging katuwang, tagamasid, at tagapag pahayag ng katotohanan,” she said.
