Impeachment trials — then and now

The public discourse has quickly turned into a scoreboard, with social media tallying sustained objections, courtroom exchanges, and perceived “wins” for either camp. But as the House prosecution itself pointed out, an impeachment trial is not decided by points. It is decided by evidence, credibility and the judgment of the senator-judges.

Like a Grand Slam match, a trial is built on endurance. Momentum shifts. Strong openings do not guarantee victory, and early setbacks do not determine the ending.

Eala walked off Centre Court to a standing ovation because she changed expectations for Philippine tennis. The impeachment court deserves the same patience from the public. It is still the opening set, and history should be written by facts — not by premature verdicts from the gallery.

— Jason Mago

Build more basketball courts

Gilas Pilipinas was overwhelmed by Australia.

This is not an attack on the players. They wore the flag on their chest and gave what they had. Anyone who has represented the country deserves respect.

But at some point, we have to ask the difficult questions.

For generations, basketball has been treated as our national obsession. We build courts in nearly every barangay, pour resources into youth programs. We send teams to training camps, like Aurora. Every loss is met with another promise that next time will be different.

Yet our greatest achievement on the world stage remains a bronze medal at the 1954 FIBA World Championship. More than seven decades later, it is still the best finish by any Asian nation in the tournament’s history. We have celebrated regional success, but the breakthrough against the world’s traditional basketball powers continues to elude us.

Meanwhile, look at where Filipinos have already conquered the world.

Manny Pacquiao. Hidilyn Diaz. Carlos and Eldrew Yulo. EJ Obiena. Alex Eala.

These athletes didn’t just participate. They proved Filipinos can stand shoulder to shoulder, toe-to-toe, with the world’s best.

Imagine if those sports received the same level of investment, media attention, grassroots development, and national obsession that basketball has enjoyed for decades.

This isn’t about abandoning basketball. It’s about broadening our ambitions.

I’ll still cheer for Gilas. I’ll still shout “Laban!” every time they step onto the court.

But perhaps it’s time we shouted just as loudly for the athletes who have already shown us another path to greatness.

— Carl Magadia

Impeachment baby

My dad has always joked that I became a journalist because, while I was still breastfeeding, my mom was glued to the impeachment trial of Erap.

It was late 2000. I was born that October.

By the time I was in junior high school, the country was watching another impeachment — this time of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Now, it is Vice President Sara Duterte.

Only now do I understand what impeachment truly means — a constitutional process, a test of accountability, and now, for me, a story to cover.

The impeachment stories my parents once told me have become my own.

They spoke of legal giants like Hilario Davide Jr., Juan Ponce Enrile and Miriam Defensor Santiago. Those were names I first encountered in family conversations and textbooks.

Now, I am watching a new generation of senators, lawyers, and public officials write another chapter of Philippine political history.

This time, I am not just watching. I am witnessing it.

In many ways, it feels like a full-circle moment. But perhaps it is also a sobering one.

Looking back, there has almost always been a high-ranking public official facing impeachment or impeachment proceedings. That says something about our politics—and perhaps about the leaders we continue to entrust with power.

I wonder whether, years from now, I will admire the lawyers in this trial the way my parents admired those in Estrada’s impeachment. I wonder how this case will be remembered. More importantly, I wonder whether it will deliver what impeachment was designed to achieve: accountability.

Three of the trial’s 92 allotted days have now passed. It is still too early to know where this case is headed. But if the opening days are any indication, a just, swift, and efficient trial still seems elusive.

Proceedings have repeatedly slowed over procedural disputes and technical questions that often appear detached from the bigger issue — such as extensive arguments over why the original raw file was unavailable or why Open Broadcaster Software was used, even though the video in question had already been made public.

Perhaps that is due process. Or perhaps it is simply politics dressed in legal robes.

I wonder if, years from now, I will tell my own children stories about this impeachment the same way my parents told me about Erap’s.

— Vivienne Angeles