By Jerry Tundag

Even before he officially joined politics, Adel Tamano already enjoyed what many politicians would give an arm for — facial recognition and name recall. The young lawyer not only has an actor’s good looks, he is also an excellent communicator.

Despite being a son of former senator Mamintal Tamano, Adel did not jump headlong into politics by vying for an elective position himself. Instead he immersed himself in politics by lending his appealing presence to the company of older politicians.

Now, I don’t know if there was something deliberate in the manner in which he chose the company he kept. But by introducing himself to the national consciousness in the company of the likes of Joseph Estrada and Jejomar Binay, it was clear he enjoyed the benefit of comparison.

Compared to Estrada and Binay, Adel offered television audiences a refreshing contrast to almost everything that the two veteran politicians offered and presented. He was young as opposed to old, good-looking as opposed to ... well..., and articulate as opposed to mumbling.

In a country with an electorate that is increasingly getting younger — half the population being below 25 years of age — and an inexplicable preference for appearance rather than substance — Adel would be certainly be a prized catch in any ticket for election.

So I am sure Estrada, who continues to foolishly dream of regaining the presidency, and Binay, who thinks Filipinos will foolishly mistake the Philippines for Makati, must have been emboldened in no small measure in their folly by assuming Adel was an ace up their sleeve.

But apparently Adel is not all appearance. The inkling we had of his substance from the manner in which he talks, he recently validated by making a choice that must have stunned and stunk Estrada and Binay but which entrenched his own self as a man who knows his destiny.

Adel broke his ties with the United Opposition of Binay and the Partido ng Masang Pilipino of Estrada and joined the Nacionalista Party of Senator Manny Villar, also a contender for the 2010 presidential election.

The move of Adel is clearly to pave the way for what many perceive to be his first real foray into politics — a run for the Senate. It is a move that strengthens both his position, as well as that of Villar.

Villar, who is the subject of a widely-perceived trumped-up ethics complaint in a Senate dominated by colleagues who are also his rivals for the presidency, could not have been any happier by the development.

Having wisely refused to engage his rivals in a frontal confrontation but instead meeting them head-on in press conferences which he can at least control, it seems that it is Villar who has benefitted largely from recent political developments.

A few days before Adel linked up with the Nacionalista Party, Villar also welcomed several local government officials who have defected from the administration, further entrenching himself as the leading opposition contender for the presidency.

While I do not give much credence to surveys, there are indeed surveys that say Villar is the preferred presidential candidate. Maybe the lengthening line of officials crossing over to his fold is a good indicator of his chances in 2010.

But I think it is the acquisition of Adel that pleases Villar the most at this point. A fresh personality is always a welcome change in any environment. And for political purposes, he proves to be a coup for Villar, who instead of being weakened appears to be gaining.

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