Everyday heroes take two

the "Philippino Mafia" setting up Democratic institutions:

“In the UN community of international workers, Filipino expats are called the ‘Filipino Mafia’—but in a positive way,” Perez told the Inquirer at Villa Caceres Hotel here. “That’s because Filipinos can be relied upon to do the job clean and fast.”

Since 2005, Perez has been in charge of electoral education, logistical administration and operation under the UN Assistance Mission for Afghanistan in her capacity as provincial electoral advisor of Mazar-i-Sharif, a city in northern Afghanistan.

Along with dozens of Afghan volunteers and international workers under her supervision, she helps educate Afghans on electoral principles and democratic processes to pave the way for an electoral system.

Perez has been to other strife-torn countries, such as Somalia, Kenya, East Timor, Eritrea and Nepal, helping the United Nations in its electoral program....

It started during the East Timor crisis when half of the required 450 volunteers deployed there were Filipinos, she said.

Perez was with the group of Filipino volunteers who laid down the democratic system of the presidential and parliamentary elections from 2003-2004....