Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):
October 18, 2000
Opposition lawmakers filed a formal motion on October 18, 2000 to impeach President Joseph Ejercito Estrada for alleged links to gambling lords.
This was the first official step for the opposition's campaign to get Estrada out of office. They accused him of receiving 414 million pesos in payoffs from gambling syndicates operating an illegal numbers game. The President denied the accusations and said he is ready to face an impeachment proceeding.
Under the rules of Congress, any impeachment case must be approved by one-third of the 218-member House of Representatives -- or 72 lawmakers. The Senate then holds a trial and two-thirds of the 22-seat chamber must vote in favor of removing the president from office.
The ruling coalition of Pres. Estrada controls 82 percent of the Lower House seats. In the Senate, a loose alliance of senators support the president, which ensured the defeat of any impeachment action.
On November 13, 2000 an impeachment case was filed against Estrada. House Speaker Manny Villar, who was an ally of the president some weeks ago, fast-tracked the impeachment complaint.
The impeachment suit was brought to the Senate and an impeachment court was formed, with Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. as presiding officer. Estrada pleaded "not guilty".
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: wikipedia.org
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