President Corazon Aquino had grown accustomed to winning big at the polls. In last week's provincial and local elections, however, she had to settle for something less than a sweep. The governing coalition confidently predicted that 70% of its candidates would be elected; though the official count was not completed, Aquino's forces clearly fell short of that goal. Among those defeated were two of the President's relatives. "This is a rejection of the concept of political dynasty but not of Cory," said Senate President Jovito Salonga, an Aquino ally.
Afterward Defense Secretary Rafael Ileto quit, complaining of insufficient support for his...