YIP Course Leader Runs for President

The announcement was made at a gathering of environmentalists, academics and civil society personalities in Quezon City, Manila, 17 June 2009. If he is elected, Perlas says he will focus on poverty reduction by stamping out corruption to be able to draw local and foreign investments.

Asked if he could win, he says: "Yes, absolutely!"

In his announcement speech, Nicanor Perlas portrayed the current situation in the Philippines as dark. He said about the present government (run by president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo): "They have corrupted and destroyed our institutions."

A tough choice

The decision to run for president was a tough one. Although he has previously been offered positions in government, he has always turned them down, stating his lack of interest in the limelight. "I was hoping and have been waiting long for somebody to step forward who really stands for change," Perlas told reporters. "Somebody has to step up there, somebody that can give the people who want change a real choice."

As somewhat of an "outsider" candidate, the presidential campaign is seeking to win votes in a non-traditional way. "There are about 60 to 65 percent of Filipinos who are wanting something different," he says. "No one really steps up to challenge the system the way I can challenge it."

Having grown tired of waiting for change, Nicanor says he sought the support of his friends and family, before making the decision to seek the presidency.

Instrumental in change

Throughout his life, Nicanor (59), has worked tirelessly to educate civil society on the effects of corporate globalization, and how alternatives to it can be implemented.

Even though Nicanor's name is not well-known in The Philippines, he has taken part in numerous important initiatives. He was a member of the steering committee of the civil society umbrella group that helped oust president Joseph Estrada in 2001. He has received numerous prices for his campaign against the use of poisonous pesticides, which has thus far led to 32 such pesticides being banned in the country.

Nicanor Perlas' framework for social three-folding has been adopted both by the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals and his blueprint for sustainable development: Philippine Agenda 21.

Nicanor received The Right Livelihood Award (aka. The Alternative Nobel Price) in 2003.

The presidential election is scheduled for the spring 2010, but a date has yet to be announced.

It has not yet been possible to find reactions to the candidacy from the media and other presidential candidates in the Philippines. Ed.

Sources: The Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, nicanorperlas.com