It wasn't long, alas, before the old Estrada emerged. There were few specifics, but the presence of sleazy businessmen around the palace, getting presidential favor and favors, was not reassuring. The privileges of his many children and his many mistresses were at first amusing but have become annoying and expensive. Now it looks like the mood is changing. Estrada is trying to tough it out and call in his debts while the list grows of those willing to cross him, including his popular vice president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Corruption has a long heritage in the archipelago.
His cronies pocketed perhaps as much again. There is another aspect of Filipino politics contrasting the heritage of corruption yin and yang, angel and devil. The reformer Ramon Magsaysay succeeded the corrupt Elpidio Quirino, the anti-corruption crusader Diosdado P. Macapagal succeeded the corrupt Carlos P. Garcia, and the angel incarnate Corazon Aquino succeeded the devil Marcos. As it happens, Estrada has been outflanked by his popular vice president, Arroyo, who has now broken with the president. Hers is a different party in any case, and she takes corruption seriously.