Tempers flared in front of the Senate building in Pasay City on Monday morning as tickets run out for those eager to watch Chief Justice Renato Corona’s testimony at the Senate plenary hall.

About 50 people, mostly senior citizens, were not allowed to enter the Senate halls after they failed to secure tickets for the Corona trial.

Rolly Ocampo, a member of the Movement for Change and Good Governance, said he was already in front of the Senate building an hour before tickets were handed out, but still failed to get access to the impeachment trial.

“Karapatan po ito ng mamamayan. Palagi po nilang sinasabi na nawawalan na ng interes saimpeachment trial. Ngayon namang nandito na kami at gusto naming manood, ayaw naman kaming papasukin,” he said.

A member of the Senate security team said Senate sergeant-at-arms Jose Balajadia Jr. ordered them to give out only 40 tickets to the Senate gallery instead of the usual 200 tickets.

GMA News Online is still awaiting Balajadia’s explanation on this matter.

Corona is scheduled to appear before the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday afternoon, when he is expected to shed light on his supposed failure to disclose certain properties and sums of money in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth.

‘Death of justice’

Some of those who were denied access just chose to express their position on the impeachment trial outside the Senate halls.

Alex Nicasio, 75, for instance, brought a death wreath labeled “Korona para kay Renato Corona,” which he said signifies the death of justice under the chief magistrate’s leadership.

“Pinatay niya ang hustisya! Pinatay niya ito para sa mga maliliit na Pilipinong walang kalaban-laban!” Nicasio shouted in front of the Senate.

Nicasio, who came from Rizal province, added that he was disappointed that he was not allowed to watch Corona’s testimony live.

“Why not let the people who came all the way from different provinces enter the Senate hall and witness the chief justice testify?” he said.

Other protesters meanwhie wore Guy Fawkes mask--a common sign of discontent among politicians also used in the United States last year during by the "Occupy Movement."

Some of those who failed to enter just chose to go home and watch Corona’s testimony on their television sets. — RSJ, GMA News