Electorate asked to show Christian-Muslim concern

Dr. Ombra Tamano, senatorial candidate of Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Puwersa ng Masa, appealed yesterday to the electorate to show their concern for Christian-Muslim unity and lasting peace in Mindanao.

Tamano aid that he has always been against the secessionist movement and that he wants to be a symbol in the Senate of a united country.

He admitted, however, that there is still a significant number of Muslims who are toying with the idea of secession because of lack of faith in the government.

He said that while autonomy in Muslim Mindanao is a good idea, he believes that it is not the ideal answer to the quest of Muslim for greater say in their own economic, political and social affairs.

Tamano, young brother of the late Sen. Mamintal Tamano, pointed to federalism as the more ideal solution to the decades-old problem in Mindanao.

"With federalism, the people of Mindanao can manage their own affairs and still remain part of the Philippines," he said.

He maintained that federalism is steadily gaining grounds in Mindanao, as he urged the nation’s political leaders to give it a closer look.

"Federalism is a long-range solution. A shift to federalism is possible only through constitutional amendment, and a lot of people are still wary of any move to amend the charter," Tamano admitted. – Efren Danao