Day 1 of the Impeachment Trial
By TheAdvocate
@TheAdvocate (2392)
Philippines
January 16, 2012 6:26am CST
My family was glued to the television for this historic moment. I am glad that they allowed live coverage unlike that travesty of a coverage of the Ampatuan trial which is subject to all sorts of conditions ... but I digress.
Everything seems to have been scripted. All the motions and opening speeches prepared ahead of time and rehearsed. Fashion-wise, the prosecution were folksy and appeared in the traditional barong. The defense on the other hand, appeared impressive in their suits. I thought the barong was a good idea - it connects to the people who, despite what Enrile said, will be the final arbiter in this impeachment proceeding.
The motion questioning the verification of the impeachment complaint was shot down. So was the motion to cite the prosecutors in contempt. As one reporter said, its 2:1 on Day 1, in favor of the prosecution.
As I sat there watching the proceedings, I thought that this was proof that we have a thriving democracy. I was able to listen to both sides and ponder on their arguments. I have to confess that even though I do not like the way CJ Corona was sneaked into the Supreme Court, nor do I find him charismatic and appealing, I am still not thoroughly convinced of the grounds. But his problem is that impeachment is a political process, and most of the time, perception matters. Add to this his affiliation with GMA, who has to be the most unpopular president, and its all downhill. It does not help that he comes off as a rich snob protected by a battery of suit-clad belonging to the who's who of the legal world.
Did you watch the proceedings? Do you think the rulings on the motions were fair? What do you think of both the defense and the prosecution? What do you think of their arguments? Let me hear your views.
3 responses
@taki_takaishi (1279)
• Philippines
16 Jan 12
I read comments from others, they said the trial is boring because it's scripted and they all want Senator Miriam to boast out but she was not there. I want to watch it but I wish they do it on a weekend so that I can watch it. hehehe.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
17 Jan 12
It's always interesting to watch Miriam Santiago in action, wakes me up every time. I do think that the Senate is trying very hard to control the impeachment to prevent another EDSA. They know that the people are watching. I did not like Enrile's comment that the Senate is the only authority on this impeachment, as if warning the people not to do another EDSA. I think he forgot that the Senators are accountable to the people and we are watching. We will surely remember this on the next election.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
17 Jan 12
So we are thinking along the same lines, that Miriam Defensor's presence will make the proceedings interesting. She is the one of the personalities who talk sense in the Senate. I have heard her speak personally and I bet you, she's really awesome. She knows what she is talking about.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
16 Jan 12
I was really bent on watching the impeachment proceedings. In fact, I had planned days ago to watch but unfortunately some friends came over to the house when the trial was just starting. After they left, some electrical trouble occurred which had to be fixed. I just had to rely on the late news to know what has transpired. I am not particularly fond of Corona but I don't believe they have enough grounds for his impeachment. I have been listening to all the opinions of the legal experts like Homobono Adaza and the rest who have superior knowledge of these impeachment proceedings. I hope I will be able to watch the continuance today.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
17 Jan 12
I watched the trial and the summary of it in the news and I think that the news did not capture the subtle drama and emotions of the impeachment. Cuevas tried to grandstand in the beginning but was quickly shot down by Drilon and Enrile (clap, clap). Enrile sternly warned both parties that no theatrics will be allowed so no walkouts will be allowed. The seating arrangement was interesting too. These things were left out by the news reporters who were busy looking for fireworks. When you get to watch the proceedings, hope you can share with us your perceptions.
I was just saying to my brother yesterday that the people who prepared the script must have been very busy in the past several days leading up to the trial. I think that they will have a harder time to stick to the script in the next few days due to time constraints, and it will really get interesting.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
17 Jan 12
No need to apologize, especially to someone who shares your opinion.
Corona's acceptance of a midnight appointment and the SC's subsequent affirmation of an invalid act has never sat well with me. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth, shows his lack of delicadeza and does not conform to my expectations of a justice who must be like Caesar's wife, above suspicion. I guess because of the manner of his entry to office, all his subsequent actions are suspect. If he had only refused the appointment like the other justices, this would not have happened to him. He must have feared that his closeness to GMA would have guaranteed that he would not be in this position which made him accept it. It's GMA election all over again. I do not want it to happen to us again because credibility is a big issue in politics. No matter what they say that the rule of law must prevail, his appointment makes a mockery of their battle cry.
