Harassment against senators counter-productive, Ople says

Senate Presidet Pro-Tempore Blas Ople warned yesterday that efforts to intimidate the senators into voting for the conviction of President Estrada in his impeachment trial would be counter-productive.

Ople was specifically referring to the move by the militant Akbayan to "invade the privacy" of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago at her residence in UP Village, Quezon City last Friday.

In a statement, Ople said Akbayan’s rally in front of Santiago’s house was "obviously meant to intimidate not only her but also all other senators into voting for conviction."

Ople has also reiterated his position that the senators sitting as judges in the ongoing impeachment trial will not be intimidated by such tactics employed by the so-called united opposition.

"The senators will not be intimidated. Most of them will vote according to their conscience, not according to the demands of the most self-righteous critics and the psychologically disturbed, to borrow Miriam’s phrase," Ople said.

He added that the "Bantay Senado" vigil implemented by the anti-Estrada camps to ensure conviction was "not even intelligent."

House Assistant Majority Leader Rodolfo Albano III also called on the opposition to stop all harassment tactics on the senators and let them peacefully perform their task in the impeachment process.

"I appeal to those belonging to the united opposition to leave the senator-judges alone and give credence to the impartiality of the impeachment court headed by the honorable Chief Justice (Hilario Davide Jr.). Our sole duty right now is to be vigilant of the proceedings, but not to resort to intimidation," Albano said.

The Isabela lawmaker also denounced the "lightning rally" staged by Akbayan members in front of Santiago’s house, saying the rallyists "should keep the peace and instead work for unity of the nation in the spirit of the holiday season."

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile said he has received information that anti-Estrada advocates were also planning to stage a similar rally in front of his house, but warned them he would not tolerate it.

The President was impeached late last month by the House of Representatives on charges of bribery, graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

The impeachment trial was triggered by charges of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson that Mr. Estrada received more than P400 million in payoffs from illegal gambling operators in Luzon, and skimming tobacco excise tax intended for his province.

The President has repeatedly denied the accusations, and predicted an acquittal.

The jueteng scandal has also precipitated serious economic and political crises in the country that saw the peso plummeting to all-time lows of more than 50 to $1 and the stock market to new two-year lows.