REVOLUTIONS normally start with good and noble intentions. The Philippine EDSA People Power Revolution of February 1986 was no exception. But like other revolutions, it can also be subjected to more public bashing than the scholarly scrutiny it deserves. The EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986 was a world model for peaceful regime change, but to a growing number of populist quarters today, it is considered a tragic failure. Its principals are accused of not fulfilling their avowed intentions. President Cory Aquino, however, had often stated during her presidency that her public role was limited to ending the dictatorship and she had precisely achieved that.

A sizable group of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cavaliers, mostly retired officers who had served as top echelon commanders of our Armed Forces, recently issued a manifesto raising a most fundamental issue. They spoke of monumental corruption in public office. In essence ending corruption was a major mission or objective of the EDSA People Power Revolution of February 1986.