Environmentalist formalizes 2010 presidential bid

Private citizen Nicanor “Nicky" Perlas, known for his strong pro-environment stance, on Sunday formalized his presidential bid on the 2010 elections with a vow to end “the national cancer of political impunity" in the country. In filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Perlas said last Monday's massacre in Maguindanao province serves as a reminder that the country is in need of "new politics." “This blatant and totally conscienceless display of political power is but a local manifestation of the national cancer of political impunity that is eating away at the soul and spirit of the Filipino nation," he said.

Perlas said that Filipinos should inaugurate a “new kind" of politics wherein the leaders have a track record of integrity, courage, competence, and strong spiritual foundation. “New politics realizes that not all that glitters is gold," he said, adding that new politics does not rely on popularity, pedigree, heredity, dynasty, or any other “superficial" forms of criteria in electing leaders. Perlas said he would be the “authentic choice" if Filipinos choose this new kind of politics.“Ang aking candidacy ay isang simbolo ng pangkaraniwang pilipinong naghahanap ng pagbabago (My candidacy is a symbol of a common Filipino searching for change)," he said. Perlas, 58, finished his primary and secondary education at the Ateneo de Manila University. He earned his degree in Agriculture at the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City and his Masters degree in Botany at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos, Laguna. As an environmentalist, he worked on the issues of nuclear power and sustainable agriculture. He was also one of the Philippines’ delegation to the 1992 Earth Summit. He also became co-chair of the Green Forum of environmental groups in the 1990s. In addition, he worked as a consultant for several agencies of the United Nations and for several branches of the government. Perlas also recently became a guest on GMANews.TV's Examine where he answered questions ranging from how he plans to solve the country's problems to how his family is supporting him in his candidacy. Aside from Perlas, fellow presidential aspirant JC De los Reyes also hopes to become an alternative bet for Filipinos in 2010. - KBK, GMANews.TV