The Estrada Trial

The Estrada Impeachment Trial’s 5th Anniversary

16 January 2006 — Today marked the fifth anniversary of the end of former President Estrada’s impeachment trial at the Senate, the first ever for a Philippine President. On this day five years ago the Senate voted not to open the famous “second envelope” said to contain evidence damaging to President Estrada on the alleged Jose Velarde bank account. This move of the President’s allies in the impeachment court succeeded in ending the trial but failed to quell the truth. Within minutes of the vote, text messages were being transmitted and people began to flock to the streets in protest and call for the resignation of the President. Civil society groups, students, the religious and business organizations trooped to EDSA shrine in what became known as People Power 2.

By January 19, the President had lost virtually all of his Cabinet members while the military withdrew its support. After a final statement and an exit from Malacanang Palace across the Pasig River, then-Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was sworn into office as the 14th President of the Republic by then Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. on January 20 at the historic EDSA Shrine.
 
Five years later, Estrada is still standing trial for plunder charges.




December 2004 marks the fourth anniversary of the Impeachment Trial against former President Joseph Estrada, the first such case against an incumbent president. Following the filing and voting on an impeachment complaint in the House of Representatives on 13 November 2000, the actual trial began on 7 December 2000 at the Senate with Chief Justice Hilario Davide presiding. As the trial started inside the Senate session hall, outside rallyists conducted the Jericho March.

Estrada is now facing trial in the Sandiganbayan for plunder. At present, the prosecution is continuously presenting witnesses to prove the case against the former President.