Impeachment halts as prosecutors quit

The impeachment trial of Philippines President Joseph Estrada came to an abrupt halt yesterday, a day after all 11 prosecutors resigned en masse. However, the House of Representatives rejected the mass resignation of the prosecutors and decided to explore the possibility of asking them to reconsider their decision.

If the talks fail, the House will either elect a new prosecution panel; or it may "recall" the articles of impeachment pending before the Senate, said House Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella. "The trial is adjourned until the court shall receive the action one way or the other by the House of Representatives on the motion of withdrawal of appearance by the public prosecutors," said Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide.

The 11-man prosecution team formally withdrew from appearing at the Senate impeachment trial of Estrada, prompting 10 senators to call for the adjournment of the session which marked its 24th day yesterday.

Wearing black ribbons, the 11 Congressmen said: "It was a day of mourning for justice. We made a mistake in allowing ourselves to be a part of the farcical trial." The prosecutors vowed not to change their minds, adding they would not give credibility to the senate impeachment court where an estimated 11 senators would always shun evidence against Estrada's alleged secret bank account for the sake of the ruling party.

"I no longer believe that the impeachment trial will be fair and impartial," said Congressman Sergio Apostol. "There might be a constitutional crisis (with regards the impeachment issue)," said Congressman Joker Arroyo.

At the senate session, Chief Justice Hilario Davide read the prosecution's letter of resignation which said: "It is clear to us that the judgement of the impeachment court will not be reached on the basis of truth that the people seek but on the partisan votes of the majority of the senator-judges."

"You are not a member of this court," Roco emphasised, when defence lawyer Raul Daza wanted a specific date for the resumption of the hearing. Many said the date might be overtaken by events following the resumption of People Power II, a repeat of the events that led to the ouster of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

Senator Sergio Osmena III, for his part, said he had decided to withdraw his participation in the proceedings saying he will not allow himself to be used by some senators "to deodorise the process".

"I am not a fool, I am not going to participate in any such foolishness," he added. Nine other opposition senators are still discussing whether they should take leave of absence as judges and jurors at the trial.

"I think the 11 senators and the defence wanted that issue (on relevance and materiality of evidences) raised. This (vote against opening of Estrada's bank records) is a grand conspiracy between Malacanang (presidential palace) and the grand inquisitors," said Congressman Arroyo.

"What happened was tragic specially for the witnesses who have exposed their lives. They would have to face the reality that this (impeachment) process is not desirable anymore," said Congressman-prosecutor Raul Gonzales.

"We cannot be useful in a court where every evidence we wanted to present against the president is blocked by the defence and the pro-Estrada senators," said Congressman Antonio Nachura.

"Our resignation is irrevocable. If the house finds new prosecutors, obviously, we have to give them our cooperation so that they can carry their work," said Congressman Feliciano Belmonte.