Presidentiable sends proxy to a debate, booed by judges

The Philippine Judges Association organized a debate for presidential aspirants last October 16 at the Century Park Hotel.

Only 3 “presidentiables” showed up, all of them lawyers and products of the University of the Philippines College of Law: Senators Chiz Escudero and Dick Gordon, and Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro.

There was a fourth lawyer who came forward, and we’re not sure if he actually thought he could join the debate—because he wasn’t a declared aspirant and wasn’t invited either. It was Adel Tamano, the Nacionalista Party’s spokesperson for legal matters.

Apparently, the party’s standard-bearer, Senator Manuel Villar couldn’t make it (as is the case with most presidential forums to which he is invited), so he sent Tamano. They thought it would be alright.

However, when Tamano announced that he was there to represent Villar, he was met with booes from the judges in audience. The PJA president had to stand up and placate his colleagues.

Tamano had to backtrack a bit before explaining that Villar sent him to thank the judges’ association for inviting him, because he has much respect for them. The spokesman ended up sitting through the debate but definitely not attempting to join it.

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READ: Tamano: I wasn’t booed by judges

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