Evidence vote fails in Senate

Calls for the resignation of President Joseph Estrada began soon after the Senate voted against opening Estrada's crucial bank records as 11 senators against 10 stopped the opening of the key envelope.

"What happened at the senate was a travesty of justice," said Bayan leader Teddy Casino, adding that a 'people's trial' would start. Leaders of the People's Congress whose members belong to the Makati Business Club held an emergency meeting. Since last week, various groups under a coalition called Kompil, have prepared for 'an alternative court' in case the senate prevents the prosecution from presenting more evidence that would point to Estrada's secret bank accounts, which the prosecution said were established to launder gambling payoff and kickbacks from tobacco excise tax.

Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo refused to give a statement. Her popularity plummeted after she issued the anti-Estrada campaign because she was perceived to be in a hurry to take power and become president. Reacting to Estrada's possible acquittal, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Bishop Orlando Quevedo said, "If they (senators) do not follow their right conscience, disregard the evidence but vote according to political allegiance, they would be committing an immoral act.

"I am ... worried about some senator-jurors who seem to interpret words or statements out of context. The evidence against President Estradais compelling." The Catholic Church has been protecting many witnesses. Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin said he would lead a non-violent revolution if Estrada is acquitted.

Earlier, Congressman and prosecutor Joker Arroyo revealed yesterday that Estrada amassed some $ 66 million (P 3.3 billion) in one-and-a-half years in office, and deposited them in various banks under a different name. "Through these accounts, we intend to prove the utter greed of President Estrada," said Arroyo, who made this allegation when he noted that majority of the senators would not listen to them and allow the opening of the second envelope which was voluntarily given by Equitable PCI Bank in early December.

Noting what happened at the senate, Arroyo said: "This is a shameless vote. This is a vote of acquittal." "What I am afraid of is that the trial might be brought to the streets," said Arroyo, adding he is also prepared for that. Senate President Aquilino Pimentel who resigned from his post after voting against the ruling party said: "It is sad that the senate does not want the truth. It is hiding behind legal issues."

Equitable's second envelope would show records of a mother account with an outstanding balance of $ 66 million (P 3.3 billion) under the name of Jose Velarde. He was eventually identified as Estrada's alias which was allegedly established to launder gambling payoff and kickbacks from tobacco excise tax.

The prosecution will have a hard time proving its allegations that Estrada maintains secret accounts in at least nine banks using the false name "Jose Velarde." With senate's 11-10 vote , the prosecution will have a harder time to summon bank managers to talk about the secret accounts of the president.