The race of his lifetime
If slowly but surely wins the race, then Nicanor Jesus “Nick” Pineda Perlas III may just end up being the leader that the country never even knew it had.
Because while other candidates have been busy hogging the media spotlight, Perlas has been the one quietly going to the slums, finding out what it is the people need, and forging a genuine connection with them beyond catchy jingles and flashy advertisements.
This concern for the disenfranchised and the desire to see uplift their plight isn’t an emotion conveniently trundled out for the campaign season. Growing up in Martial Law-era Philippines, the young Perlas saw corruption and injustice first hand – and made a promise to himself that no one else needs to suffer the same fate.
“My father (Jesus C. Perlas, Sr.) was a very competent man but there was one thing that Marcos didn’t like about him – he couldn’t be bribed. So because my father was standing in the way, he caused a case to be filed against my father for corruption,” he recalls. “Why is somebody who is serving the country gets repaid with that kind of corruption? That started it for me. I was going to end corruption in the country if I had a chance. I wanted to stand for the truth, to stand for what’s right.”
From then on, Perlas has been active at campaigning against injustice and inequality wherever he might see it. As an undergraduate student of Agriculture at the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro, he organized students and “shut down” the university for three weeks when it was not “performing according to its promises.”
After graduation, he co-organized a global campaign to stop the construction of 12 nuclear power plants in the country, and was even forced to stop his masteral studies at the University of the Philippines - Los Baños because of his involvement in the movement against the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
“It’s ironic that I ended up opposing the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant because I had a career choice in the Ateneo to be a nuclear physicist,” he says of those early days of activism.
“Physics was my best subject. I wanted to pursue Nuclear Physics to help start a nuclear power program in the country.”
Perlas’ support for farmers and the environment has been as unflagging as his opposition to nuclear power. When he became part of the national technical panel overseeing the regulation of pesticide use, he succeeded in banning 32 hazardous pesticide formulations here in the country. He says he plans to take this no-nonsense attitude against corruption to Malacañang if the Filipino people see fit to put him in the highest office in the land.
But it isn’t all work and no play for the presidential aspirant. Outside of the campaign, he spends time watching movies with 21-year-old son Chris, a bonding activity that father and son cherish.
“There are a lot of sci-fi movies here that people don’t really understand what they are. My lectures
abroad are about science and technology, so when there’s a movie that combines all of these, we have to process it, why is it like that or why does it work that way,” shares Perlas.
In this 60 Minutes conversation, presidential candidate Nick Perlas talks about it all – his start in the world of activism, his work here and abroad as an advocate for the environment, and his vision of a Philippines free of corruption. If slowly and surely do win the race, then Nick Perlas is moving towards the finish line with a strong and determined gait. (Ronald S. Lim)
STUDENTS AND CAMPUSES BULLETIN (SCB): Is there a part of you that believes the surveys?
NICANOR P. PERLAS (NPP): No (laughs). Surveys, if handled properly, are ok. But in the Philippine context, I’m not sure if that’s being abused. You should take a proper sampling of a population.
My lack of trust on surveys was verified recently. We have a supporter who happened to be my brother, who was asked in a survey. He was asked, whom will you vote for president, and then he said Nicanor Perlas. The researchers said why don’t you go for Villar or Gibo. So obviously that is an interference, it’s not accurate, it’s being fixed.
SCB: But many voters rely on surveys…?
NPP: That’s why we tell students that surveys should not be the basis of electing the next president. Look at the vision, the track record, the competence. Otherwise, we will repeat the mistakes of the past.
I’ll give you an example, President (Fidel) Ramos never topped any surveys. He ran and won. Si (Antonio) Trillanes was number 58 among the senatoriables, slowly climbed near the elections,
and won. Walang pera, walang political machinery. He was in jail and couldn’t campaign personally, and yet he won.
Comelec initially disqualified me because they said I don’t have the resources and the political machinery. But I told them in a 48-page motion for opposition that new politics can wage a credible national campaign.
There are 48 million internet users in the Philippines, and if you Google my name today, I have higher number of hits than Villar, Gibo and all the rest.
Second, I’m not too worried about Villar’s or anybody’s ads in billions of pesos. At the end of the day, if somebody visits you personally in your house versus an ad, there’s a stronger relationship with that person. I’m going to do sorties all over the country just to consolidate that 80 percent awareness and have that kind of personal relationship. Our person-to-person contact, our motorcades and caravans where we’re reaching thousands in one day. I actually prefer this than sitting in forums with the audience already biased anyway. (laughs)
Third is presence in media. Media today is more actively interested in informing the public. They are profiling the different presidential candidates.
SCB: What about the winnability factor?
NPP: Winnability is not a criterion for electing the next president. You vote for yourself and when more people do that, then the right candidate emerges. It’s as simple as that.
SCB: There’s no doubt about your qualifications, but why the presidency right away?
NPP: I have no political ambitions. But the key problem of the country is at the Office of the President. I don’t want to be another one of the senators doing nothing, I’d rather go to the source of crisis.
SCB: What made you decide to run?
NPP: I remember it was September 24, 2008, which happens to be the birthday of Chris (his son). I was on the plane reflecting on the condition of the Philippines. I was looking at those running for the presidency, I saw in no one the capacity to seriously challenge the system of traditional politics. I also promised to myself that I’ll stop complaining and start to do something about it.
When it became increasingly clear to me that the present administration has no capacity to really listen, and to really care, and was destroying the morals, this is too much for me. I cannot allow the future generations of this country to deteriorate inside. Because if we die within, we can’t resurrect any external institutions.
So I said I’m really going to challenge it. I’ve been in the forefront in challenging the Marcos dictatorship. I’ve gotten rid of corruption at the Department of Agriculture. They were selling pesticides that were harming millions of farmers. I’m not ignorant in challenging a system nor about government itself. When I found out there was no more room for a real reason, conversation, dialogue, then that was when I decided.
SCB: Do you think Filipinos are ready for the new governance?
NPP: Yes. Absolutely. When you go directly to the poor, they are actually more discerning. I’m gonna tell you the result of this study done by a very credible institution. The thing about the study that surprised them was the perceptual accuracy of people in class D. They could accurately characterize the character of a presidential candidate.
When I go to barangays, people are saying, Nick Perlas, we saw you on TV. They listen to the arguments. In fact, they are starting to criticize. I think it’s the preparedness, longing for something will be matched by the response in money that cannot buy them off. I’m really touched that a lot of them has shown I’m one of the substantive persons there running for president. I’m happy I’m in the category. (laughs)
SCB: How many volunteers do you have now?
NPP: It’s difficult to count. People are actually going out in the field that we don’t know. I’ll give you one example, the recent Nursing Board Exams topnotcher, Clarie (Bontol) from Iligan City. I found out that she’s not going to accept any job because she’s going to campaign for me. Clarie reportedly examined all the profiles of presidential candidates last year and decided that I was the best presidential candidate.
We have another volunteer who is running three businesses, volunteering full time. They’re spending their own money. They come from all classes. We have a construction worker who resigned from his job to be a full time volunteer.
SCB: What are the major concerns of the voters?
NPP: Number one is the security of tenure and livelihood. They are willing to be relocated in areas where they will be safe from typhoons. They were traumatized during Ondoy so they are willing to be relocated as long as they can have a security of tenure and jobs.
Among fisher folk, the key issue is the encroachment of commercial fishing vessels into municipal waters. And for them it is clear that it is because of corruption because the local govern ment official is allowing for these commercial vessels to come in, that’s why they’re also becoming environmentally conscious at the same time.
SCB: What’s your program for education?
NPP: There are three major ways in addition to the usual quantitative approach. The quantitative approach is improving the salary of teachers, building more schoolbuildings, and so on. In addition to that, I’m changing the whole paradigm of education, of DepEd. There should be a paradigm shift, an overhaul of the system, to move beyond IQ, and focus on multiple intelligences.
In the college level, the ‘study now pay later’ plan will help a lot of deserving high school graduates to enter college.
I’ve seen too many sob stories of people, students who have high grades but walang pera. We have to ensure the productivity of the economy so that students will get jobs after they graduate especially in the science and technology sector, which we are lagging behind.
I will strengthen private education because I philosophically do not believe that the state should not be at the center and forefront of education. I don’t want education to be handled by business people because they will create human beings who are squares. They only educate because this is the sector of the future but we’re living in this fast-changing world, where you’ll never see what the next true job is. So you really have to educate the full human being that is creative enough, competent enough, assured enough and have the self esteem to work in any job.
FIRST 100 DAYS
SCB: What do you plan to do on your first day in office?
NPP: I’ve actually planned that. First day in office, there’s going to be a press conference at 9 in the morning (laughs). I’ve envisioned it a lot of times already. I will introduce my Cabinet, a very strong team in the fight against corruption. All qualified, if you’re a scientist, you’re in DOST, if you’re a social worker, DSWD.
I will announce a number of executive orders (EO), including the removal of private armies within 100 days. There will be an EO cleaning up the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs. I want to make an example of the two dirtiest agencies.
SCB: Paano niyo gagawin ‘yan?
NP: If Malacañang is not corrupt and the Cabinet secretaries are not corrupt, BIR and Customs cannot be corrupt.
As an outsider, I stopped corruption at the Bureau of Customs. I was importing solar panels because I wanted to introduce solar electricity for the poor, especially farmers. I was creating a prototype. The equipment arrived after waiting for it for three months. I wanted to take it out, but Customs said I need to have a broker. Why do I need to have a broker? And then he said that he would slap me with a 50 percent tariff on my solar panel. I was going to end up paying around P70,000.
I said I’ll be back, researched the Tariff Code of the Philippines, checked the rules and regulations. I see that the tariff for solar panels is two percent, not 50. I photocopied the law, went to Customs, and said “This is the law. Why are you charging me? There’s also no law that I should have a broker.”
He was kind of frozen and asked me to talk to his boss. I go to his supervisor, I see that they are all sporting this ugly looking golden rings and watches. Typical. He saw that I was determined. I thought of telling him that I had connections, that I was the co-chair for civil society of the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development. I had access to all the Cabinet members, including President Ramos. But I did not even pull that connection. I was just saying, “Why are you charging me 50 percent? I want you to explain.” They started laughing at the inspector because he was not going to make any money from me. He was not going to have any milk that day because one person stood up. This is what I’m saying. The law is clear.
SCB: What is next after cleaning up these agencies?
NPP: The third EO is an order connected to environment. I will get rid of all the smoke belchers who have been disobeying the rules for 10 years, the Clean Air Act. Why? Because there’s a general behind this bus company, there’s a rich businessman with connections in Malacañang.
My fourth EO would be to create a new Cabinet position for civil society. I will open up all our processes to the involvement of the appropriate civil society group, which will be a counterbalance in that agency. I am going to invite environment groups to start monitoring.
A BEAUTIFUL MIND
SCB: What have you learned so far during the campaign?
NPP: Here is what I’m learning: I am the candidate of the ordinary Filipino. Ang sasabihin ko: Ito po ang pamahalaan ng pangkaraniwang Pilipino. Kayo po ang naglagay sa akin dito sa Office of the President, kayo po ang magbabago ng Pilipinas. Samasama tayo. That is the thing now that is happening. Can you imagine when this happens? You will see domestic and foreign investment come in.
I think people will begin to get hope, and then it will be a self-reinforcing cycle, and it will continue to get help. Then a new dawn really will start for the Philippines.
But ultimately, my fate lies in the hands of God. God gave me my life, God will determine when I should die. Chris and I have processed this, we’ve spoken about this (laughs). We love each other very much, but we also understand that I cannot sit back and allow this country to go into ruins.
SCB: How did you become like this?
NPP: (laughs) How did I become sira ulo? Maybe because I had a very happy childhood, so I have no psychological issues to begin with (laughs).
My father was the general manager of the water system, NAWASA.
He designed the water system in many parts of the country.
He had a master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was very competent but there was one thing that Marcos didn’t like about him – he couldn’t be bribed. Because my father was standing in the way of some deal, Marcos caused a case to be filed against my father for corruption.
Sometimes I would accompany my father to the lawyer and deep inside me was this question. Why? (NPP starts to tear up)? I’m getting emotional. Why is somebody who is serving the country gets repaid with that kind of corruption?
That started it for me. I was going to end corruption in the country if I had a chance. This is where it comes from. I wanted to stand for the truth, to stand for what’s right.
SCB: You also fought against your school when you were still studying….
NPP: I went to Xavier University because I wanted to take up Agriculture because I wanted to help the poor. I had a career choice in Ateneo to be a nuclear physicist. Physics was my best subject, Mathematics in general, and the Sciences. I wanted to pursue Nuclear Physics to help start a nuclear power program in the country. It’s ironic because I ended up opposing the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
I got disillusioned with the school and so I became a student activist. We shut down the university for becoming irrelevant to the needs of the poor. That was three weeks and we split the Jesuit community. After that incident I didn’t attend classes regularly anymore. I told them that I would just take my exams and do my own studies. I didn’t want to waste my time in class.
Some people were shocked when I had the highest honors. That just showed that the system was not really challenging us. We wanted our education to be relevant, that’s why we shut down the university. That was the time the First Quarter Storm was happening here. Since the time, many of my co-student activist went underground and some of them were killed.
SCB: Was there any instance that you were really poor?
NPP: When I was in the US, I nearly froze to death in an empty building and I became a homeless person, sleeping in abandoned buildings together with my friends. I was 28. It was like that for seven months, not knowing where to go. I went there to testify before the US Congress about the nuclear plant and that exiled me but that same nuclear plant also brought me back.
SCB: You also chose to return your American green card?
NPP: In 1992, I went to the US Embassy to return my green card. In the other line, there were a lot of people lining up to get a green card and here I was, returning mine. They asked, “Why are you returning your green card? A lot of Filipinos want to get one?” I said, “I think I am done helping people abroad, it’s time for me to help my own country, especially the poor.”
The poor is my primary concern and the anecdote about me being poor is not a political gimmick but a long sought-after goal and objective to get rid of poverty. I have been consistent all my life about this anti-poverty situation.
SCB: It seems that you are prepared to win but how about if you lose?
NPP: I don’t intend to lose (laughs). You know, I was trained in athletics, I was being groomed to compete in the Olympics for the 100-meter dash event. I was taught that when running for a competition, never look back, even for a split second because that will cost you your victory. That metaphor has always stayed with me. If you have an objective, go for it. The science of consciousness tells you that you cannot break your focus because you will only hamper your own performance.
LOOKING UP TO RIZAL
SCB: Do you read a lot?
NPP: (Laughs.) I think I have already 5,000 books. I’ve read 70 percent and the 30 percent I know the content that’s why I bought them.
SCB: Who are your idols?
NPP: Jose Rizal is a very important influence in my life specially after I discovered that Rizal is a follower of Krautze, a German philosopher. This guy was so influential in Spain and the rector of his university was removed forcibly by the Spanish government because of his liberal ideas. That was Rizal’s first and only demonstration. He participated in student demonstration.
When I examined Krautze and Rizal’s concept of reason, then I began to understand
what his concept of reason was. Kasi I had this book called the “Political and Social Writings of Rizal.” At one part I did not understand how he used the term ‘reason,’ that God has given us so we can understand the reason of divine intelligence. That’s Rizal’s concept, and therefore, brings him into what’s called the science of conscious evolution.
He said that our reason has the capacity to glimpse divine reason. That’s why he kept on encouraging time and time again, if you have a problem, use reason. This is so important in the elections.
SCB: How is this related to the elections?
NPP: I want this to be the most conscious elections in Philippine history where people think through. In the sense of Rizal, when people think through, getting in touch with the divine within that will help them make the proper decision that they can live with.
SCB: Aside from Rizal, are there other people you look up to?
NPP: Rudolf Steiner, who established the Steiner school. For me, he’s in the tradition of Aristotle, Francis Bacon, then Steiner. There’s a direct path between the three. Aristotle introduced the science of reason and logic because when he was describing logic, he was describing operations of the logical mind. Francis Bacon introduced the didactive method of science in his writings at the beginning of the dawn of the modern age. Steiner extended the scientific approach.
And then Teilhard De Chardin, an interesting Jesuit scientist who was excommunicated because he believed that spirit also worked in matter. So he was considered a heretic by both Jesuit community and Rome.
SCB: Do you think people will be able to understand you (Laughs)?
NP: I’m not ashamed of my ideas. I’ve been a heretic for so long. And I know heretics are just the future this is starting to emerge.
