PHILIPPINES: PROTESTERS MARCH ON SUPREME COURT TO PRESS FOR IMPEACHMENT OF TOP JUDGE HILARIO DAVIDE

Record ID: 646709

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: PROTESTERS MARCH ON SUPREME COURT TO PRESS FOR IMPEACHMENT OF TOP JUDGE HILARIO DAVIDE
  • Date: 6th November 2003
  • Summary: (W3) MANILA, PHILIPPINES (NOVEMBER 5, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. SLV /TS POLICE ARRESTING PROTESTER OUTSIDE SUPREME COURT BUILDING; MV PROTESTERS WEARING JUSTICE'S ROBES AND MASKS OF DAVIDE (6 SHOTS) 0.51 2. SLV ANTI-RIOT POLICE BLOCKING PROTESTERS; SLV PROTESTERS CARRYING PLACARDS AND CHANTING ANTI-DAVIDE SLOGANS (7 SHOTS) 1.30 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ESTRADA SUPPORTER RONALD LUMBAO SAYING "Not one man, not even the chief justice himself could be spared from the arm of the law. Not one man could be above the law and for Chief Justice Davide to claim that he is immune from law, despite that 88 congressmen hold the belief he actually committed an offence which is impeachable as chief Justice, that does not believe in the rule of law." 1.55 4. MV EFFIGIES OF DAVIDE AND PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT GLORIA ARROYO BEING KICKED; MV PROTESTER SPRAYING WITH PAINT "DAVIDE OUT." (3 SHOTS) 2.13 5. SLV FACADE OF SUPREME COURT; HAS INTERIOR OF SUPREME COURT HALL 2.43 6. SLV JUSTICES ENTERING AND THEN BANGS GAVEL; WIDESHOT OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICES HEARING ON LEGALITY OF IMPEACHMENT CASE AGAINST CHIEF JUSTICE HILARIO DAVIDE (3 SHOTS) 2.57 7. MV DAVIDE SUPPORTERS DEMONSTRATION 3.10 8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) DAVIDE SUPPORTER BONG MONTESA SAYING "We believe that under the constitution, the impeachment should serve only for serious and very high crimes. The crimes allegedly attributed to the chief justice do not even merit impeachment proceedings. We believe that over and beyond this legal and technical constitutional consideration, the impeachment really is a political assault against the independence of the judiciary." 3.40 MANILA, PHILIPPINES (MAY 2000 - REUTERS FILE) (REUTERS) 9. MV SUPREME COURT JUSTICE HILARIO DAVIDE DURING FORMER PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA IMPEACHMENT TRIAL 4.00 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 21st November 2003 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • Country: Philippines
  • Reuters ID: LVA25CLO0JM7A3CC47QFWPYBZ2OD
  • Story Text: Protesters march on Philippines' Supreme Court to
    press for the impeachment of country's top judge
    Around 1,000 supporters of deposed Philippine
    president Joseph Estrada were blocked by riot police from
    marching to the Supreme Court in Manila on Wednesday
    (November 5) to press for the impeachment of the country's
    top judge Hilario Davide.

    Manila police cordoned off members of the
    Estrada-linked People's Movement Against Poverty about a
    block from the Supreme Court building.

    They were attempting to show their support for calls for
    the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario
    Davide.

    Supreme Court judges are hearing a case on the legality
    of attempts by some lawmakers to impeach Davide for alleged
    mismanagement of a judicial fund.

    The impeachment bid has led to a constitutional crisis.

    President Estrada, who is currently in detention while
    being tried for corruption, has long blamed Davide for
    legitimising his 2001 ouster.

    Hundreds of soldiers are on standby at the main
    military camp in Manila, amid a constitutional crisis over
    attempts to impeach Davide. About 400 police are being
    brought into the capital from nearby provinces.

    Tension has been high for the past week after a move by
    opposition lawmakers to oust Davide. Street protests over
    the move are expected to continue until a meeting of the
    House of Representatives and Senate later this month, which
    is being used to seek a compromise.

    Davide faces a possible Senate trial over accusations
    he misused public funds. He says the country is at risk
    from "military adventurism" if the impasse is
    not resolved soon.


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