After 44 days, the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona in the Philippine Senate ended today, May 29, 2012.  

The result: 20 senators voted "Guilty" and only three senators voted to acquit.

Only 16 votes were needed to render impeachment.

Those who voted to convict Chief Justice Corona were Senators Edgardo Angara, Alan Peter Cateyano, Pia Cayetano, Franklin Drilon, Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Teofisto Guingona III, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Sergio Osmeña III, Kiko Pangilinan, Koko Pimentel, Ralph Recto, Bong Revilla, Tito Sotto, Antonio Trillanes, Manny Villar, and Juan Ponce Enrile. 

Those who voted to acquit were Senators Joker Arroyo, Miriam Defensor- Santiago, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Announcing his vote to convict, Senator Recto said, "In a few hours, we will be pulling the plug on this afternoon political telenovela."

Senator Recto was correct in a lot of ways.

The impeachment trial, aired live in local news channels and at times breaking regular programming on ABS-CBN, TV5, and GMA-7, held the public rapt with attention.

We wouldn't be surprised if ratings show that today's CJ Corona trial dominated other programs in its timeslot.

The impeachment trial was at times more exciting than the usual soap operas and reality shows.

All the drama it caused—emotional outbursts during the trial and esteemed lawyers and statesmen fighting each other on live TV—are some of the most memorable moments in television history.

Filipino Twitter users were so affected that the hashtag #cjontrial trended almost daily on the social networking site and microblogging service.

Several Filipino celebrities tweeted about this trial almost daily, whether or not they have political leanings.

Musician and vocal supporter of President Aquino, Jim Paredes, tweeted his joy over the conviction.

"Convicted! Impeached na pala sa Lower house palang..," tweeted @jimparedes.