Nicanor Perlas Formalizes Bid for Presidency
Condemns the Massacre in Maguindanao as a Local Manifestation of the National Impunity of Traditional Politics That is Destroying the Nation
Calls on all Filipinos of Good Will to Create a Better Country by Ushering in a New Politics of
Vision, Hope, Competence, Integrity, Courage and Action
[Media usually covers only snippets of a press release. I would like to share the full content of the statement that I gave to the media today, 29 November 2009. In this way, readers can have a full picture of how I am framing my presidential candidacy in the national elections in 2010.]
Today, delivering on his promise, Nicanor Perlas filed his Certificate of Candidacy for the position of President of the Philippines at the national office of the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, National Capital Region. Key members of his volunteer and support group, including his son, Christopher Michael, accompanied Perlas in his bid for the highest political office of the country in the upcoming national elections in 2010. Perlas characterized his presidential bid as responding to the call of millions of Filipinos to have real choices in the 2010 elections, to advance the country into a higher level of
On December 6, 2006, almost three years ago, I wrote this editorial in TruthForce!, www.truthforce.info. I entitled it "Super-Typhoons and Philippine Democracy". I will share it again in whole to emphasize two points. First, already back then, almost three years ago, the scientific evidence was clear that humanity has entered the age of drastic climate change and extreme weather events. Super typhoons will increasingly wreak havoc on the planet including the Philippines. Second, government had a chance to act and prepare for Ondoy, especially after the massive P18 billion-destruction brought about by Typhoon Frank in June 2008.
But, no, government chose to continue the path of traditional politics, focusing on retaining power and stealing the national budget at the tune of a minimum of P300 billion a year. It is clear. The time for a new and very different kind of politics has come, a new politics savvy enough to prepare for the upcoming disasters of super typhoons and other extreme weather events. Our future as a people will depend on it.
I have been wanting to reissue this piece for sometime. But there was no time amidst all the rescue operations, travels, events, and other related work. So here's the December 2006
In the past few days, I have been bombarded with text messages from friends as well as interviews with the media on what I think of the Mar-Noynoy announcements. Will I, like Senator Mar Roxas, also renounce my intention to run as a presidential candidate in the 2010 national elections and support the presidential candidacy of Senator Noynoy Aquino?
The short answer is "No". I will not renounce my intention to run as a presidential candidate. And "Yes", I will encourage Noynoy to resign from the Liberal Party, run as an independent presidential candidate, and join the on-going conversation and unification efforts among non-traditional political parties and movements.
Noynoy can stifle the growth of new politics. Or he can enable the new politics that is emerging all throughout the country. Allow me to elaborate.
Introductory Remarks
My comments to follow will only make sense if people understand that 2010 is not an ordinary election. It will be the venue for an epochal battle between traditional politics and the new politics. What is branded often as "opposition" is not really opposition in the true sense. The current opposition is also part of traditional politics, albeit a different version of traditional politics. What I
This week, I have been making the rounds of both high level government agencies and large civil society networks. I wanted to get a sense of their aspirations regarding the future of the country. And one clear message resounds. Resistance to the Arroyo system is alive and well. And this resistance will converge and make a difference in the national elections of 2010.
Resistance to the Arroyo regime is not visible in government agencies. They are towing the line since Arroyo is their boss and they are earning their living as employees of the Arroyo government. But, if there is an opportunity, those in government will choose new politics.
Those, who have not been morally devastated and corrupted, are deeply disgruntled. They are deeply hurt and wounded. They have had to swallow some dirt to survive. Some have seething anger inside. They are burning for something different, something more dignified. And they are awake and alert for new possibilities in 2010.
A similar situation prevails in significant segments of civil society. Arroyo had made many promises to civil society leaders in 2004. This is the reason why a significant segment of civil society leaders supported Arroyo in 2004. However, Arroyo broke these promises. She
