Opposition scrambles to overturn Arroyo impeachment dismissal News
Opposition scrambles to overturn Arroyo impeachment dismissal

[JURIST] After legislators quashed the impeachment [JURIST report] of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo [official website, Wikipedia backgrounder], opposition lawmakers said Thursday that they are attempting to collect enough votes to continue the impeachment process. In proceedings boycotted by the opposition, Arroyo's congressional allies in the House Committee on Justice [official website] voted Wednesday to dismiss the three impeachment complaints, which included rigging last year's elections and betraying the public's trust. If the opposition can muster 79 lawmakers, or one-third of the House, to vote against the committee's decision, then the decision must be overturned. After one House legislator withdrew his support of the opposition Thursday, they appeared to be seven votes short of the 79 needed. AP has more. The Manila Times has local coverage.

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THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.