MANILA, Philippines, Jan. 17, 2001 — Ramos' historical jump, the songs of APO Hiking Society, the sea of people, the festive
atmosphere, the food…it's all too familiar, indeed this is EDSA People Power all over again. People from all walks of life gathered
a second time in a show of support and indignation over last night's most historical decision in the month-old impeachment trial. Eleven
'pro-Erap' Senator-Judges voted against opening the "second envelope" from Equitable PCI Bank which would explain Estradas various
accounts, their sources and how they were dispensed.
Former President Ramos did his historical jump, however, this time it's too early, because the incumbent is still in Malacañang and shows
no sign of stepping down. Ramos lauded Senate President Aquilino Pimentel's timely resignation calling him a bagong bayani akin to the
people gathered at the rally. He also said that the impeachment trial has now shifted to the court of the streets or what is called parlamentaryo
ng lansangan. Ramos had just arrived from a business trip in Hong Kong and upon arriving walked from the NAIA to the EDSA Shrine.
Former SEC Chair Perfecto Yasay thanked the people for their prayers because he said he wouldn't have had the strength to do what he had
done without prayers. He shared that he hasn't had a normal life ever since he testified at the impeachment trial, he & his family received
several death threats already. But he was quick to add that despite this he had to tell the truth because this would free him. "We are not afraid
of him (Estrada). We will stand up to defend the truth and if necessary we give our life precisely to insure that the truth will come out," he said.
If there was one thing that was not all too familiar on the first day of the People Power II was the show of support from the artists or people
from show business. Noteworthy is Osang. She called Erap a thief, a liar, and one who misleads the poor. She pitied the masa who continue to
support him because according to her they are blind. She even suggested that these people need a wake up call to realize that Estrada is
deluding them.
Solita "Mareng Winnie" Monsod, for her part, talked about Estrada's assets, saying that, this totalled P 8 billion and that her fear is that this
comes not only from jueteng but from drugs as well. "Hindi lang iyan pag nanakaw ng puri, …pagnanakaw pa iyan ng kinabuhayan at
"kinabukasan ng sambayang Pilipino," she emphasized.
Artists who performed were the Apo Hiking Society, and a rendition of "Bayan Ko" by Grace Nono, Freddie Aguilar and Lea Navarro.
