The impeachment trial of Philippines President Joseph Estrada, which was televised live every day, had become the most watched programme on every TV network, displacing the usual diet of Mexican soap operas. The opposition has been trying to drum up some of the spirit of the 1986 uprising which drove then-President Marcos from power It had made hitherto obscure politicians into household names as they performed in front of the cameras in the Senate, either for or against the president. It had given the TV presenters and their guest experts film star-like exposure. It was easy then, to understand the tears on the faces of some senators when on 16 January the trial collapsed. And the shocked disbelief in the voices of the reporters beside them.
Few countries enjoy the sheer theatricality of politics as much as the Philippines.
And now 11 senators had spoiled their fun, by voting to block the examination of further evidence against President Estrada. Indignation on the streets Something of that indignation drove the thousands protesting against Mr Estrada on the streets of Manila. They have included students and their parents, lawyers and nuns, and much of the business elite. These are the kind of people who had always felt uncomfortable having a faded film star as their president. The astonishing allegations made during the Senate hearings appeared only to confirm what they had always believed about Mr Estrada - that he was corrupt and incompetent.