MANILA, Philippines — On January 16, Chief Justice Renato C. Corona went on trial before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.

A month into the trial, public interest in the proceedings appears to be waning, and many can’t wait for it to end.

A random poll taken by the Manila Bulletin highlights the people’s impatience over the trial. A number of respondents believe it is going nowhere and mired in technicalities.

“It’s overly long,” said Michele Morales, a 19-year-old student. “I hope it ends soon so that the Senate, Congress, and even the Supreme Court can once again focus on their work.”

Mike Tagle, a band member, said he’s bored with the trial because it was proceeding as “slow as a turtle.”

Tagle faults the prosecution for its “trial and error process. Their moves should be precise.”

Benny Panlaque, 43, government employee, said the Senate court should, at this point, consider postponing or even ending the impeachment proceedings.

Panlaque said he is not siding with Corona but he only wants the “truth to prevail.” In the end, “it is the Filipino nation who will suffer. That is why I am monitoring the news because I want to be a part of it even though I am just watching. I hope the trial will bring out the truth with the defense panel and prosecution panel be used as instruments for the truth to be revealed for the benefit of the country,” Panlaque stressed.

Jocelyn Madrilejos, a 50-year-old facial therapist, said her whole-day work in a salon in Intramuros, Manila, limits her access to updates on the impeachment trial being aired over the television and radio.

“I don’t see any profit in watching the trial and I only get pissed off with the issues,” Madrilejos said.

Like Madrilejos, 37-year-old calesa driver Romeo Javier said watching the impeachment trial is a waste of time for a single parent like him who raises two children with his measley earnings.

“I work the whole day. When I get home, I would rather watch some other show so I can rest,” Javier said.

Taxi driver Julio Monillas, 54, said he would rather tune in to an FM radio station to hear relaxing songs than monitor the trial.

Monillas urged senators to stop the impeachment trial, saying it is doing nothing good for manual laborers like him.

Many feel that the prosecution is ill-prepared in presenting its case against Corona.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the prosecution panel will be knocked out at the end of the impeachment trial,” said Lea Mañalac, a 29-year-old computer operator.

Nina Jillian Tan, University of the Philippines student, said she is “neutral but the burden of proof of the trial is really on the prosecution rather than the defense team.”

“It’s a simple case complicated by technicalities,” said Mang Jun, a retired private employee.

More reactions on Friday. (Interviews by Aaron B. Recuenco, Anna Liza T. Villas, and Kris Bayos)