Philippine Senate rejects bid to quash Estrada impeachment

November 28, 2000
Web posted at: 7:26 PM HKT (1126 GMT)

MANILA, Philippines (Reuters) -- The Philippine Senate rejected on Tuesday President Joseph Estrada's petition to throw out corruption charges against him, clearing the way for his impeachment trial early next month.

"The chair resolves to deny the motion to quash for lack of merit," Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, presiding officer of the Senate impeachment court, told a Senate session.

He said the trial would begin on December 7.

Estrada is accused of bribery and corruption for allegedly taking bribes from illegal gambling syndicates and pocketing funds from excise taxes. He has insisted on his innocence and vowed to clear his name in the trial.

The president's lawyers had sought to quash the proceedings on the basis that the House of Representatives had not followed proper procedures in endorsing the impeachment charges to the Senate for trial.

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