'People power' could well be a double-edged sword

But the spectre of political instability still haunts the country. There is still trepidation that having gained power in a revolution, Mrs Arroyo could lose it the same way.

Only weeks after she took office, Mr Estrada told his supporters - some of the millions of poverty-stricken Filipinos who had democratically elected him in 1998 - that Mrs Arroyo was a usurper.

On May Day, thousands of Estrada followers attempted, but failed, to storm the presidential palace.

Coup d'etat

Since then, there have been persistent rumours of some kind of coup d'etat - rumours that have become even more persistent as the anniversary of the People Power Revolution approaches.

Many feel that Arroyo has not done enough for Philippines citizens

Mrs Arroyo simply dismisses these rumours. She says the Philippines has a "freewheeling democracy" where freedom of speech is respected, but when it comes to translating words into violent takeover, nobody of great responsibility supports it.

She insists, on the basis of national and local election results last year, that she has a popular mandate, and that her government is secure.

The armed forces, police and civil service appear loyal to the new president - and so do the mainstream opposition.

Opposition leaders, such as Senator Serge Osmena, concur with Mrs Arroyo's assessment.

He says there are "disgruntled groups" but none of them have the capability to take over government.

Troops deployed

Even so, thousands of police and troops are being deployed in Manila to ensure there is no challenge to Mrs Arroyo's authority during the anniversary celebrations.

Estrada still claims he is innocent of corruption

The figurehead for any such challenge is likely to be Mr Estrada.

He is now in police custody, and he professes innocence. He says his political career will not have run its course until 2004, the year when his term in office would have ended, had he not been deposed.

In the meantime, he still claims the presidency.

At the moment, his followers cannot muster the numbers that would constitute sufficient "people power" to return him to office, but that could change.

Mr Estrada is now on trial for his life, accused of breathtaking corruption.

But the proceedings are going badly for the prosecution. It is possible that the ex-president will be acquitted - and an acquittal would critically weaken the justification for the revolution that removed him from power.

Unless Mr Estrada is found guilty, Mrs Arroyo will have to live with the possibility - however remote - that "people power" could well be a double-edged sword.