DAVAO CITY-- Nagbitiw sa puwesto si Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol upang tumakbong senador sa 2022 elections.

Sa kanyang Facebook post nitong Lunes, sinabi ni Piñol na ibinigay niya ang kanyang resignation kay Pangulong Duterte na epektibo sa Oktubre 5 at "pinasalamatan niya ito sa paglilingkod sa bansa."

"Today, I have reached a decision to vie for a seat in the Philippine Senate to pursue my advocacy to help the Filipino farmers and fishermen become more productive while at the same time ensuring food security and economic prosperity in the country,” ayon kay Piñol.

Nagsilbi bilang Agriculture Secretary si Piñol simula noong Hunyo 30, 2016 hanggang Agosto 5, 2019 at nagsilbing naman bilang Chairman ng Mindanao Development Authority noong Agosto 5, 2019 hanggang Oktubre 5, 2021.

Sa kanyang text message sa Philippine News Agency, sinabi ni Piñol na maghahain siya ng kanyang kandidatura sa Oktubre 8-- huling araw ng paghahain ng COC.

“I am heeding the call of the agriculture and fisheries sector to be their voice in the Senate and to stand up and ensure their well-being against the deluge of anti-agriculture policies and legislations which had made life difficult for them,” aniya.

Tatakbo si Piñol sa ilalim ng Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC). Sinabi rin ni Piñol, ang pakikipagkaibigan niya kay Duterte ay mananatiling "matatag" at hindi kailanman maaapektuhan ng politika.

Inalala rin Piñol na noong May 2016, matapos manalo si Duterte, tinanong siya ni Senador Christopher "Bong" Go kung anong posisyon ang nais niya sa Gabinete sa ilalim ng Duterte administration.

"Does my resignation and decision to run for a Senate seat outside of the party of President Duterte mean that I am parting ways with him or I am turning my back on him? No, never,” aniya.

“Our mission is clear and precise, let us turn the Philippines into a major producer in Agriculture and Fisheries in this part of the world while at the same time create income and job opportunities so that our loved ones do not have to leave home to find work abroad,” dagdag pa niya.

PNA