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Piñol took his oath in simple rites in Manila before Lakas-CMD national chair and House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.
Other key party leaders all over the country were also present during the oath taking.
In a press statement, the governor said his designation as administration party chair for North Cotabato “has practically settled the issue on who would be the administration candidates in the province during the 2007 elections.”
The position gives the governor the power to nominate all administration candidates [in the province] for all elective posts.
“Claims and counterclaims on who would be the official candidates of the administration party in the coming elections would now be settled with my designation as Party Chairman for North Cotabato," he said.
Pinol had announced earlier his endorsement of Vice Governor Jesus N. Sacdalan as the ruling party’s candidate for governor.
He has already submitted the tentative list of official candidates for mayor, vice mayor and councilors in several towns of the province to the national party for the printing of sample ballots.
