Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines – Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada does not see that the impeachment complaints against President Benigno Aquino III will gain much ground in Congress given that majority of them are Aquino’s allies.
“I don’t think it will prosper. First of all Congress, most of them are the administration’s allies,” Estrada said in an interview Tuesday with reporters in Sandiganbayan during bail hearings of his son Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada.
Mayor Estrada was also previously the subject of impeachment when he was president on allegations of corruption. The proceedings did not run its full course after members of the prosecution walked out during the trial in 2001 resulting in what was regarded as the second People Power Revolution.
“I already experienced [impeachment] when I was president and what happened to me, I was not impeached, the prosecutors walked out because they [could not] prove anything,” Estrada said.
“I don’t think they have enough evidence [against Aquino]. That’s what I think as far as what I have read in the news,” he said.
In a separate interview, Senator Estrada also cited the allies of the president in the House of Representatives as reason the impeachment will not likely succeed.
“Let’s face reality, impeachment is a numbers game, I don’t think the House of Representatives can muster enough numbers to impeach the Aquino,” he said.
Senator Estrada urged that Aquino be allowed to finish his term so he can complete the projects he has started.
“I am against the impeachment because it will divide our nation and we cannot afford to divide the nation at this time. Aquino has two years left in his term, let him finish his term, and continues his programs and projects that will benefit the people,” he said.
“Enough with the retaliations, nothing will happen to our country if we just hit back at each other,” Estrada said.
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