The Philippine Online Chronicles

If I was president/ Instead of spendin' billions on the war/I can use that money, so I can feed the poor.

So goes a humanitarian idea in Wyclef Jean's 2008 single “If I Was President.” Fast forward to 2010, the rumination characterizing the single—as turns of event warranted it, for Jean at least—has now advanced to a higher, more serious level. The former The Fugees singer, in answer to the rumors about his political plans, recently told CNN he is actually considering running for the highest political post in his native Haiti.

Jean said he has accomplished the paperwork necessary for the candidacy. However, the singer/record producer said he is not yet completely certain whether or not to push through with the presidential bid, and that he filled out the paperwork just in case he decides to run. The deadline for filing is on August 7.

Jean, 37, who has lived in the United States since childhood, was born on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. The events following the tragic January 12 earthquake in his home country saw Jean leading humanitarian efforts, issuing an appeal for international aid.

An outspoken advocate for Haiti, an impoverished island-country in the Caribbean that has been in political disarray for the longest time, Jean's involvement in the humanitarian affairs of the country began way before the calamity. He created the foundation Yéle Haiti in 2005, whose focus is to create employment and encourage foreign investment in Haiti, among other things.

In view of the recent earthquake and its aftermath, the foundation announced the creation of Yéle Corps, a “new program that will provide jobs to nearly 1,000 people a day cleaning the streets and removing garbage. The program also includes a vocational training component."

The foundation, though successful to a degree, has had its share of controversy. In the wake of the Haiti earthquake, investigative website the Smoking Gun accused Jean of embezzling the donations given through his foundation. The singer vehemently denied the allegations, saying they were an “attack on his integrity.”

Regarding the possibility of him running, Yéle Haiti offered this statement: "Wyclef's commitment to his homeland and its youth is boundless, and he will remain its greatest supporter regardless of whether he is part of the government moving forward. At this time, Wyclef Jean has not announced his intent to run for Haitian president. If and when a decision is made, media will be alerted immediately."

The Haiti election is in November.

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