Sunday, 29 November 2009
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The environmentalist will run on a P2-M campaign fund, from his own pocketEnvironment activist Nicanor Perlas on Sunday filed his certificate of candidacy for president, promising to reverse the “politics of impunity” in the national government.
“The condition of the Philippines at the national level is a politics of impunity,” Perlas told reporters at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Intramuros. “My candidacy is a symbol of ordinary Filipinos looking for change in the country and authentic choice for 2010.”
Perlas said that “politics of impunity” can be seen not only in the recent massacre in Maguindanao but also in deaths caused by drug addiction.
An agriculture graduate and a former official of the Ramos administration, Perlas said he has a campaign fund of only P2 million, from his own pocket, and is expecting small support from volunteers.
P2 million is not even enough to run a decent mayoral campaign, according to political strategists, but Perlas said he won't be like other candidates who accept huge amounts of contributions from businessmen.
“If you accept big money from businessmen, you may become beholden to them,” he said. “Kapag nanalo ako, wala akong utang na loob sa negosyante (If I win, I won't be beholden to businessmen)."
Anti-corruption
Perlas, when he was co-chair of the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development during the Ramos administration, was among those who fought against the rehabilitation and re-commissioning of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
He said candidates like him are alternative to traditional politicians.
“Traditional politicians have no interest other than enriching themselves [while in power],” Perlas said, adding that around P500 million pesos a year is lost because of corruption.
Perlas said that if he wins, he can remove corruption from the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs, two revenue-generating agencies plagued with allegations of corruption.
He added that there are discussions on the possibility of him having a vice presidential candidate and a senatorial slate but the qualifications “are too high” and they are looking for those with track record and platform.
He said that he will run as official standard bearer of Partido ng Bansang Marangal if it is accredited by the Commission on Elections. He said he will run as independent if the party will not be accredited. (Newsbreak)
Source: http://newsbreak.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7157&Itemid=88889051
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