Senate disbands Impeachment Court

It’s final: Don’t expect another installment in your favorite telenovela.

The Senate moved yesterday to disband the impeachment tribunal in the aftermath of the trial’s collapse and the ouster of former President Joseph Estrada.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the senators have unanimously supported a proposed resolution to officially terminate the impeachment proceedings.

"Our job is done," Pimentel told reporters after coming out of a closed-door caucus with his colleagues.

He said the mandate of the impeachment tribunal headed by Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. as presiding officer has been overtaken by events that culminated with the ouster of Estrada on Saturday.

"There is no need to hand down the verdict because it is now a fact that the President is staying (in his house) on Polk street (in Greenhills, San Juan)," Pimentel said.

He said the records of the tribunal would be put into the archives.

He said the controversial second envelope purportedly containing documents on the Jose Velarde bank account would be turned over to Ombudsman Aniano Desierto as part of the evidence in prosecuting Estrada for alleged plunder of the economy.

Senate Secretary Lutgardo Barbo said the senators would sign the resolution today, official terminating the impeachment process.

The trial, which began on Dec. 7 and adjourned indefinitely last Jan. 16, was disrupted when 11 senators voted against opening the second envelope surrendered to the tribunal by the Equitable-PCI Bank.

The move, largely perceived as suppression of a vital piece of evidence, precipitated public outrage which led to a popular, bloodless uprising that ultimately toppled the Estrada leadership.

The impeachment court also failed to resolve contempt charges against defense lawyers Sigfrid Fortun and his brother Raymond, as well as prosecutors Raul Gonzales and Clavel Martinez.

Barbo, who also served as clerk of the impeachment tribunal, said he will relay the decision to disband the tribunal to Davide.

"I will inform the Chief Justice that the court has terminated itself and, therefore, there will be no more reconvening of the tribunal," Barbo said.