OBSERVATION: Senate of the Philippines February 9, 2012 Senate Impeachment Trial Arrived at the plenary: 9:30 am Start of session:

2:00 pm The trial started past 2pm because the senators were still not finished with the caucus. As law students and as an avid viewer of the proceeding, we are very excited, excited to see the personalities, the power house defense team and the prosecutors, and of course the senator-judges. The indication of the trial starting is when the sergeant-at-arms stood up and announced that we also stood up while the Senator-judges are entering the session hall. When the senators are already in their respective seat, arranged alphabetically, he instructed us to remain standing as Senator Revilla lead the invocation, after that we seated. We wanted to seat at the side of the defense but we were not allowed to, and later realized that it would be fine because we will see better the defense panel on the side of the prosecution. The sergeant-at-arms further instructed as to keep silent and that we should remain our seats at all times while the proceeding is ongoing. There are other rules posted all over the session hall. The audiences at the session hall were quite talkative; reacting to everything they hear and see. We were expecting that they will strictly follow the house rules. Some are even texting and taking photographs, however tempted, we desist from taking one. Senator Sotto rose and stood at the podium and announced the agenda for the day. But the excitement ceased when the senator-judges had to suspend the proceeding because they have to go to the caucus room and discussed if whether or not they will abide by the Supreme Courts Temporary Restraining Order in favor of Chief Justice Coronas foreign accounts. An hour had passed and they went back and the presiding officer, Senator Enrile, announced the decision lengthily, finally announced the voted that happened in the caucus room, that the majority honored the TRO of the Supreme Court. Few Senators explained their Vote, maybe just to justify and so that the voting populace would not judge them negatively on what happened. The prosecuting gave their manifestation and so the defense. The presiding officer was very strict but lenient on the other hand, to give the parties the chance to be heard and explain their side, but strict in the sense that no one can grand stand on the proceeding and that he makes sure that the trial goes on smoothly and without delay.

The majority floor leader call the attention of the Presiding officer and asked for a recess which was given immediately by the presiding officer. That is when we saw the chance to leave the session hall because we still have to attend our classes.

In a nut shell, we observe that this proceeding, besides being political in nature, is quite entertaining and educational to us law students. People and the media may tag it as a circus but to us it is an opportunity to learn, to observe and most of all to see the truth. It also inspires us to be better students of law and that someday we will be lined with the likes of Former justice Cuevas and other great lawyer in town.