The Bright Boys, from Estrada's Lamp party, trade barbs while helping to steer through presidential priorities. And with Estrada's popularity in the doldrums, it is the younger men over whom savvy Filipinos are casting a speculative eye. They are the hope of the Philippines in the 21st century. Some of those hopes are profiled here. He now teaches law and government, and dabbles in shooting, swimming and restoring old cars.
Some relief is probably necessary.
Escudero hopes that by the end of this year, all villages will at least have electricity. A Bright Boy, Escudero learned about politics from his father, an assemblyman and minister of agriculture under Ferdinand Marcos. Certainly Escudero does not hide his intentions to seek a seat in the Senate after his Congress stint and his national profile is high through a daily radio program and weekly television show. When he married last year, among his godparents were President Estrada, Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Speaker Manuel Villar, and tycoons Lucio Tan, Eduardo Cojuangco and Menardo Jimenez. Cayetano is particularly focused on education, because he believes that while many state universities provide quality schooling, low-quality teaching in public elementary and high schools prevents poor students from stepping up.