By RIO ROSE RIBAYA
MANILA, Philippines --- Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada congratulated the Senate for being able to finish the impeachment trial, convicting Chief Justice Renato C. Corona for betrayal of public trust.
In a statement, Estrada particularly lauded the efforts of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to facilitate highly credible proceedings against the chief magistrate.
“I congratulate the impeachment court for successfully concluding the impeachment trial, especially the leadership of Presiding Officer Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile,” Estrada said.
“Regardless of the result, today was a good day for our democracy because the impeachment court proved that we can abide by the rule of law,” the former leader noted.
This is the first time that the Senate handed down a decision as an impeachment court after private prosecutors walked out from the impeachment trial against Estrada in 2001.
Despite the conviction, Estrada said Corona is more fortunate than him “because he was convicted based on evidence presented by prosecution and defense panels”.
In 2001, Estrada was ousted through EDSA People Power II after the Senate, with then Chief Justice Hilario Davide and then Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. as co-presiding officers, failed to contain the private prosecutors who walked out from a hearing in the impeachment trial.
MANILA, Philippines --- Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada congratulated the Senate for being able to finish the impeachment trial, convicting Chief Justice Renato C. Corona for betrayal of public trust.
In a statement, Estrada particularly lauded the efforts of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to facilitate highly credible proceedings against the chief magistrate.
“I congratulate the impeachment court for successfully concluding the impeachment trial, especially the leadership of Presiding Officer Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile,” Estrada said.
“Regardless of the result, today was a good day for our democracy because the impeachment court proved that we can abide by the rule of law,” the former leader noted.
This is the first time that the Senate handed down a decision as an impeachment court after private prosecutors walked out from the impeachment trial against Estrada in 2001.
Despite the conviction, Estrada said Corona is more fortunate than him “because he was convicted based on evidence presented by prosecution and defense panels”.
In 2001, Estrada was ousted through EDSA People Power II after the Senate, with then Chief Justice Hilario Davide and then Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. as co-presiding officers, failed to contain the private prosecutors who walked out from a hearing in the impeachment trial.
