Jinggoy hails Senate leadership for completing impeachment trial

Saying the first ever impeachment trial of the Supreme Court Chief Justice represents the legacy of the 15th Congress of the Senate, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada congratulated the members of the assembly, officials and staff for successfully fulfilling a constitutional mandate.

Sen. Estrada particularly singled out Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile who steered the proceedings in the most orderly and unbiased fashion, since it started last January 16.

"I congratulate the Senate President not only for his legal acumen and gifted skill, knowledge and appreciation of the minute details of the law and judicial processes, but also the probity and impartiality in the handling of the most difficult episodes of the trial," Sen. Estrada stated in a privilege speech delivered Wednesday or a day after the conclusion of the trial.

In his explanation of vote on Day 44 of the trial, Sen. Estrada recalled how the impeachment trial of his father, former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, on 2000 failed to run its legal course and to give the respondent the chance to defend himself against his accusers. Sen. Estrada also mentioned that the presiding officer then proved to be partisan who allowed the court to be disrespected by the prosecutors.

Moreover, Sen. Estrada relayed his unqualified admiration and highest regard for the presiding officer Senate President Enrile, who happens to be his partymate in Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

"Undoubtedly, you have shown to all, particularly to trial judges what it is to be impartial, to be objective and most of all to be prepared. You have given us all a neat lesson in decorum, maturity and patience. Our people have seen how you have handled the proceedings and they are one with us that you have done a job so well," Sen. Estrada said.

The younger Estrada declared that seeing the conclusion of the trial is proof that we adhere and commit to the established democratic principles and processes.

"In this exercise, we have demonstrated to our people and to the international community that we uphold the majesty and dignity of the principles of justice, the rule of law, and of the Constitution," Jinggoy maintains, while adding:

"This trial is now a testimony to our common and collective desire to uphold the law and dispense justice wherever it may fall."

The privilege speech was unanimously adopted last May 30 as a Senate resolution, with Sen. Estrada as principal author and all members of the chamber as co-authors thereof.