Senate 'no' on move to quash Estrada trial

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, NOV. 28. The Philippine Senate, sitting as a tribunal, today rejected a motion to dismiss the impeachment proceedings against the President, Mr. Joseph Estrada, on corruption charges.

The presiding officer, the Supreme Court Chief Justice, Mr. Hilario Davide Jr., announced the decision to dismiss the motion on grounds of ``lack of merit''. The impeachment tribunal, following the rejection of the motion, adjourned its sitting to meet again on Dec. 7 when the formal trial against Mr. Estrada will get under way.

Some reports from Manila suggest that the Estrada defence team might now move the country's Supreme Court in a bid to put a legal spoke in the wheel to delay the commencement of the trial.

In another development today, the Science Secretary, Mr. Filemon Uriarte Jr., announced his decision to resign from the Cabinet, but said it did not have anything to do with the current crisis in the country.

A spokesman for Mr. Uriarte Jr. was quoted as saying in Manila that the Science Secretary wanted to return to the private sector.

In turn, the President stated that he had requested the Science Secretary to stay on for some months and take leave of absence if necessary.

It may be recalled that the Vice-President, Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, had resigned from the Cabinet after the sensational allegations that Mr. Estrada accepted over $ 8 millions in illegal lottery proceeds.

The pressure on Mr. Estrada continues to be unrelenting as his trial begins on Dec. 7. A wide coalition of forces - from the country's left-wing to big business to the influential Catholic Church - are ranged against Mr. Estrada.

Even if Mr. Estrada manages the eight votes in his favour in the 22-member Senate during the trial, the public outrage against this one-time film actor may prove difficult to handle.

Days before the trial gets under way, a series of rallies and demonstrations is planned in Manila in a continuing effort to put pressure on Mr. Estrada to resign.

So far, he has given no indication that he is prepared to resign and has described the corruption charges against him as false.

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Section  : International
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