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Upshot: Senate also on trial.
Ironically, the jurors have now themselves become defendants. After the devastating evidence of Kissa Ocampo at the "last two minutes" of the year 2000 proceedings, Erap is not the only one on trial. It is the entire Senate. And the jurors are the Filipino people.
If, in spite of the devastating evidence, senators still voted for acquittal, their entire political career would be on the line. The anger of the people as jurors will descend on them like a thunderbolt, as exemplified by protests at Miriam's home. This is the "boomerang factor" which clearly bothers many pro-Erap senators now.
The impeachment is ironically the greatest manifestation of democracy in action, the rule of the people, not so much because of the proceedings but the effect of the viewing public on all actors on stage in the proceedings. Filipinos should be proud of themselves as the entire world looks on. …
