[2] He graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor of Science in Management degree.

[1] Pimentel first entered politics in 1995 when he became the vice governor of Surigao del Sur, occupying the position until 1998.

[1] He ran for governor in the 1998 local elections under the Laban ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino party but lost to incumbent Primo Murillo.

[10][11] On December 7, 2020, he was ousted as deputy speaker but then became the chairman of the House Special Committee on Strategic Intelligence, a post formerly occupied by Representative Fredenil Castro of Capiz's 2nd District.

This was after he underwent RT-PCR testing as part of the health protocols instituted for the 5th State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte.