The impeachment trial started on December 7, 2000 presided by Hilario Davide, Jr. but was aborted on January 16, 2001 after the House private prosecutors walked out from the impeachment proceedings, to protest against the perceived dictatorial tendency of the eleven senator-judges, who supported President Estrada.
Ombudsman Aniano Desierto was criticized by some for not aggressively investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption.