The presidential bid of Nicanor Perlas received a tremendous boost today when the Commissions on Elections (Comelec) officially recognized Perlas as one of the presidential candidates for the national elections in 2010.

While Perlas was very happy over his reinstatement as an official presidential candidate, he was more excited with the historical mainstreaming of new politics in the nation’s political landscape.

“The battle at the Comelec was about traditional versus new politics, about principles and ideals versus money and traditional political parties”, explained Perlas. “The Comelec decision shows that vision, platform, character and track record, and the significant media and Internet coverage plus the massive volunteerism that flow out of these, are potent enough to wage a credible national campaign”, said Perlas.

“This is a victory of ideals, principles and competence over money and traditional political parties. Money and organization need not be preconditions to qualifications. Money and organization will come when hundreds of thousands of volunteers, attracted to the vision, platform, character, track record, and competence of the candidate, start donating time, money, and talent”, added Perlas. “We do not have to sacrifice all our ideals and principles at the altar of money and traditional political parties.”

Perlas also took this occasion to thank the over 2000 individuals and leaders from over 60 countries all over the world who participated in an unprecedented and historical global campaign to petition Comelec to reinstate Perlas as an official presidential candidate. Among those who signed or sent their own petition were Senator Bob Brown, leader of the Greens in Australia, the Green Party of France, Hazel Henderson, one of the world’s leading green economist, David Korten, a global thought leader on globalization and economic power, and Otto Scharmer, MIT professor and originator of Theory U.