Demystifying the Enigma that is Nick Perlas

by Paula Zayco Aberasturi

With deep conviction, I am certain that there is no one else who can recite this oath (and mean it) than Nick Perlas. There are others who will allude that they are the change this country needs and they will conjure up images of honor and virtue. But, just as you can, I see through people. These are mere tricks of the light. True change ensues from the inside out.

What makes Nick Perlas different from all the other Presidential candidates? Three phrases: True MASTERY, True DEMOCRACY, and True INTEGRITY.

TRUE MASTERY

Perhaps the reason why people cannot “know” Nick Perlas in one interview is that this person contains multitudes. He is not a one-issue person. His answers to our problems are not simple. He can be verbose and you will mistake his brilliance for a lack of charisma. He will not give you the answers you expect. So, he will not say: build roads, increase budgets, remove corrupt officials, prioritize education, all in 100 days. Yes, he will do all these too. But Nick Perlas will not hand you your remedy in a platter. It would be like giving you a painkiller, while masking the real sickness that is plaguing the country. Instead, he will tell you that our problems are systemic. Systemic what?

For example, in solving the problem of rural poverty, he will consider: ECONOMIC: supply and demand, the high cost of credit for farmers, pricing interactions; POLITICAL: building farm to market roads, infrastructure, post harvest facilities; CULTURAL: making available research and inventions; ECOLOGICAL, the climate, soil, water, topography; and INDIVIDUAL: the farmer’s skills, health, even his creativity. As you can see, it is complex and he can lose you as your mind wanders at mid-sentence. People will always seek the magic pill but really, there is no magic pill. But I give you a leader who will heal from the core, considering each and every ailing part.

TRUE DEMOCRACY

The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them. Section 1, Philippine Constitution.

Some balk at the notion of a leader who will consult his constituents on issues that beset the country. A handful have advised Nick Perlas to use the powers that be and tell everyone what to do. Command and control. But, what is real democracy? It is dêmos, the "people" and krátos, "rule, strength."

Nick Perlas is a true bearer of democracy. A leader that listens and has sincere faith in the power of people. Because truly, it is the people who know what their problems are. They know exactly what they need and will be the very people who will collectively, intelligently, creatively determine their solution. Political leaders have no idea of our genius and capabilities as a people. They choose to dictate to us, denying our human capacity for vision and creativity.

You will not hear emphatic promises of glittering gold from Nick Perlas. But I have heard him wholeheartedly commit that he will mainstream promising initiatives throughout the country. What? These are existing projects sprouting throughout the country, in communities, schools, organizations, among individuals, that already deal with problems and have the key to solving the challenges we face. For example, we have initiatives in renewable energies, that could light up entire communities at a fraction of a cost.

Past governments have chosen to ignore these little sparks, preferring immense projects they have formed or none at all. Not Nick Perlas. He calls these creative initiatives as points of light throughout the country, and he promises to illuminate the nation.

INTEGRITY

This is precisely why only a select few know him. He has not been in the limelight because there is nothing dirty, dishonorable, vicious or controversial about this man. Some imply that he is at a disadvantage because he has never been in politics. I say, he is a Trump Card, with an upper hand because he has never been in the tainted field.

I have heard people say “He has a heart of gold but he cannot be President.” I say, “if someone who has a heart of gold cannot be President in this country, what sort of despicable country do we have?” Because no amount of reform, whether in our systems, structures, government, constitution and laws, could fix this country, if we, as a people remain cynical, apathetic, corrupt, or worst, hopeless.

Do you know that the President, upon assumption of office, has to say this oath?

I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God.

With deep conviction, I am certain that there is no one else who can recite this oath (and mean it) than Nick Perlas. There are others who will allude that they are the change this country needs and they will conjure up images of honor and virtue. But, just as you can, I see through people. These are mere tricks of the light. True change ensues from the inside out. The way you live your life has an extraordinary bearing on the your world outside. Change has to be permeate your each thought, feeling and action. My President’s integrity is without question. Nick Perlas lives and breathes it, conscious about each thought, word, feeling and act, and its power in the world.

I hope I have simplified the genius of my President. He is, three words that are TRUE: Mastery, Democracy and Integrity.


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