The Philippine Online Chronicles

Senatiorial bet Atty. Adel Tamano, once became known as the 'voice of the opposition' when he became the spokesman of former President Joseph Estrada and the late Fernando Poe Jr. After  several years, he hogged the limelight once more as the lawyer to the doctor of the stars, Dr. Vicky Belo.

But aside from his flawless appearance, Tamano, now a candidate under the Nacionalista Party, has a lot of substance and youthful vibrance that he hopes to bring to the Senate.

Tamano was among the Nacionalista candidates who filed a petition against the Supreme Court ruling on the Chief Justice appointment. He said that even if the SC allowed Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to select the next Chief Justice, he still hopes that the president would just leave the task of appointing the next Chief Justice to her successor. “The law clearly states that the incumbent president cannot appoint anyone within the period of the constitutional ban. According to Art. VII, Section 15 of the Constitution, there is no exception for appointments in the judiciary. Needless to say, I’m deeply disappointed with the ruling,” Tamano said in an interview with Blogwatch.

“However, what’s important now is the action that PGMA will take. If she really does not have any hidden agenda, then she will leave the task of appointing the next Chief Justice to her successor.”

According to Atty. Tamano, the NP and the Liberal Party have different approaches regarding the chief justice appointment issue. While LP vows to impeach PGMA’s appointee, the NP respects the Supreme Court's decision but they won’t allow any appointments so they are filing a petition against it.

'Bibingka' approach to peace problem

Atty. Tamano is the youngest Muslim candidate to run for the Senate. He was the first Filipino Muslim who studied at Harvard Law School. According to him, “there are still issues of discrimination (against Muslims), but he's hoping that it has lessened after many generations.”

When asked about the peace and order situation in Mindanao, he said if he becomes a senator, he will use a different approach to it. “Gagamitin ko ang bibingka approach, mainit sa taas, mainit din sa baba.” Tamano said. “While you attend to the political proceedings, inaayos mo rin yung sa ilalim, kailangan mo rin ayusin ang relationship mismo ng Christian at Muslim. Educate the people.”

Adel believe that there should be a Mindanao block in the senate. In theory, he believes in a federalism form of government but he stated that he don’t think that the people will push for something like that. “I believe we don’t need a charter change, we just need a character change.”

Plugging the leaks of corruption

“If I become a senator, quote me on this ha, all my pork barrel will go to education.” the young senatorial aspirant said. According to him, one of the reasons he’s running is because of the youth. The government is not putting enough money for education, only 16% of the budget goes to education. “Dati malaki ang budget for education, pero ngayon, kung kailan mas maraming students, mas maliit ang budget for education.” Tamano added. “the highest budget should go to education.”

The former Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) president stated that his primary objective is to prioritize education for the Filipinos. “Marami tayong pera pero misallocated lang. I want to review the automatic appropriations law and to rationalize taxes.” he said.

He said he would push for free education like what he did in PLM. "I believe that the government can implement free education because it has sufficient funds." But the problem, he says, public funds are drained into the hands of corrupt government officials. “Plugging the leaks of corruption is what should be done. There are funds but because of corruption, little or no services go to the people.”

LGBTs' voice in the senate

When asked about being the spokesperson of the group 'Ang Ladlad' despite being a Muslim, he said that he has to set aside his religion when dealing with politics and governance. "There should be no sexual discrimination; there should be no discrimination at all," he said.

According to Tamano, as a Muslim, he feels that he is part of a minority group just like lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBTs). “Being a Muslim, I am too is part of a minority group that is stereotyped and discriminated against, just like LGBTs in the Philippines. I know what they're going through and I know how frustrating it is not to be heard,” Tamano said in the recent Ang Ladlad’s national convention where only three senatorial candidates were invited.

“It takes someone who has experienced discrimination to be able to represent the marginalized sectors. I could be your voice in the senate,” he added.

On a lighter note, Atty. Adel Tamano said he still goes to the Belo Medical Clinic once in a while.