Like Obama, he smokes, he’s a lawyer and father of two. Like Obama, he will use the Internet and all its tentacles extensively (14 to 20 million Filipinos are computer-literate) in the election campaign. Which does not mean that he will not also resort to radio and TV.

And like Obama, he cut his teeth as a senator. But it’s unfair to the two and all concerned and unconcerned to compare Senator Chiz Escudero with the president of the United States. For one, the senator won’t turn an eligible 40 until Oct. 10, which is when he is expected to declare his goal: no less than the presidency.

But then again, he’s “old” enough – wise? – to realize that “anything can happen” and “things can change” between now and then. And not until the fat lady sings.

Lots of things have been happening, including the phenomenon of why this 39-year-old has consistently topped the surveys – hardly ever lower than no. 2, whatever the permutations – when he has not been buying ads, spots, testimonials and endorsements. Because he’s young and appeals to the young? Can it be as simple as that? Simpler still, because he wears jeans, the bluer the better?

If the circumstances of his desire do not change and he is given a chance to make a run for it, the youngest of the candidates would promise to tackle the budget by “allocating scant resources for the greater good of the greatest number”; to redirect the earnings of Pagcor and PCSO toward education; and to make sure government owns a foreign policy. At the moment, he said, “This government does not even have a labor export policy.” POEA, OWWA, DoLE and all? “That’s right. Not even a labor export policy.”

Not many of his fans know that the senator taught international law at the Ateneo. Or that he is a partner in a “small law firm.” Or that his hobby is fixing up old cars, such as a ’69 Mercedes Benz 280 SL and an ’87 Range Rover, and fixing them up so prettily that selling them becomes an arrow in the heart.