On Adel Tamano and Vicki Belo

Dear Starr,

My previous entry, which you described as "baseless", was, actually based on facts. It is a known fact that Atty. Adel Tamano's client is Vicki Belo and in one of the interviews by the DOJ press, Belo publicly announced her support of Tamano's senatorial bid.

Likewise, have you passed by EDSA, particularly that spot in Guadalupe Makati? There's a big billboard there with Tamano's face plastered and what do you know---the billboard was put there by the Belo Medical Group. Tamano, by the way and if you don't know, is the "celebrity" endorser of the Vicki Belo Medical Group.

If that is not support, then, I don't know what is.

Now, as to the allegation that Tamano does not enjoy Muslim support, could you cite even ONE nationally accreditated Muslim organization that supports Mr. Tamano's senatorial bid? Suara Bangsamoro and Assalam Bangsamoro approached him and he rejected them. These two organizations have national constituencies. Same applies to AMANA, another Muslim partylist organization. Did you ask them if they support Tamano organizationally and officially? I actually know the answer---not one of them supports Tamano.

On his wife eating pork, Adel Tamano's wife was featured in the program " K" by Korina Sanchez, which showed his Christian wife eating pork. The wife eats the meat in just one table, being shared to her husband.

So, Starr, am I telling the truth or am just inventing things?

Adel Tamano's backer is Vicki Belo, and no Moro

I had a meeting with organizers of the Muslim communities two days ago. There's this nasty rumour that fellow Muslim Adel Tamano's campaign is being supported by no less than "beauty expert", Dr. Vicki Belo. Nothing wrong there except that Belo was involved in the nasty Hayden Kho sex scandal and cases were filed against Belo for alleged medical "malpratices".

If Belo is supporting Tamano, no one among the legitimate and hard-working Muslim organizers support him. No one is actually going the rounds, campaigning hard for Adel. What happened?

Two things: first, Adel Tamano did not approach any Muslim group for help. Hence, his fellow Muslims think that he is too proud to ask for their help. These organizers, as you know, made possible former president Joseph Estrada's decisive win in Mindanao and some parts of Luzon. Remember that Muslims are everywhere---Muslims have a large community in Pangasinan, a vote-rich province and Pampanga. Even in Cavite, Metro Manila and Bulakan. Tarlak also has a huge Muslim community. These organizers, have been them through war and peace, are hard-working ones. They are feeling very bad about Tamano.

And second, majority of Muslims hate Adel Tamano for issuing anti-Muslim statements and most of all, for not keeping his promise of staying with the camp of former president Joseph Estrada.

Adel Tamano is one of our most promising young leaders. He is intelligent, more capable than other candidates actually if you think about it. Yet, he destroyed his name when he changed parties because of some rumour that the administration will not allow Erap to run as a candidate AND he continues to disdain any association with Muslim groups.

POor Adel. His dismal rankings in the surveys show that he needs to do more than serving as Belo's spokesperson to generate enough "buzz". And he must not deny his being a Muslim.

Another thing---some elder Muslims, very influential in the communities, say that they think it is haram for Adel to allow his wife to eat pork in his table. I don't know where they got this information and surely, I will ask Adel to give his side about this. There is a rumour spreading among Muslims in the Philippines that Adel's wife (a Christian) is eating pork and other dishes considered haram (illegal). Fact is, they say, pig meat is stored in Adel Tamano's refrigerator. How true?

Danny Lim and the Patriots--Mga Maginoo

Brigadier General Danny Lim is a person of high integrity. A West Pointer, Lim dedicated most of his life to the service of the Filipino People. Yesterday, Lim said he's seriously considering running for a senatorial post. He says that he's still committed towards achieving lasting peace through an improvement in the political system.

Another officer who is also thinking of running is General Ariel Querubin. Like Lim, he's also under detention for alleged mutiny charges.

Teddy Casino is rumoured to be eyeing a senatorial seat himself. Good. Like Lim and Querubin, Teddy exemplifies the kind of legislator we need for the Upper Chamber. He's young. He's idealistic and has an electrifying charisma.

Joey de Venecia III has also intimated his desire to run for a senatorial post. The younger de Venecia, if you remember, went out of his comfort zone as a businessman and sacrificed almost everything just to at least make that ZTE transaction above board.

Pia Hontiveros' sister Hontiveros-Paraquel, is also gunning for a senatorial seat. Like Teddy, she has a very strong will and principles for the benefit of the Filipino People. She deserves our attention and support.

Governor Grace Padaca, I heard, is also running for a higher post. Her achievements in her hometown deserves emulation.

Susan "Toots" Ople, the daughter of former Labor secretary and Senator Blas Ople, is also Senatorial material. Toots has been helping OFW's through the Blas Ople Labor Policy Center. She's one of the OFW's hopes for them to at least be heard in the chambers of Congress.

If Roilo Golez intends to run for a senatorial post, many people would be extremely happy. Golez is an expert in security matters and our security infrastructure would definitely be enriched with his contributions.

Is Ruffy Biazon, son of nationalist Senator Rodolfo Biazon, running for a higher post? I hope so. He could be one of our finest senators in the new generation.

I heard bar topnotcher Atty. Kiko Pimentel III is expected to resume his campaign. He nearly won the 2007 elections after a bitter contest with Senator Juan Zubiri. Hope things turn out different this time, since automated na ang elections.

Adel Tamano, son of former Senator Mamintal Tamano, is running under the Nacionalista Party. His ratings are really not that high and I heard that many Muslims do not like him. Nonetheless, I think Adel has the qualities of a good senator. He deserves a chance. He's intelligent and has the vision to pursue the Bangsamoro agenda in the upper chamber.

Lastly, there's another idealistic officer who wants to run for a senatorial post. I am still not at liberty to reveal his name except that if this person stands up and tells me that I need to go out of my comfort zone and fight for my country even with my bare hands, I will. This guy has the highest integrity. And even if he's past fifty, the last time I talked with him, he still has the same fire in his belly. He is, to me and others, the true Maginoo.