Manila, June 9 -- Senate President Francis Escudero on Monday defended the handling of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, insisting that any move to convene as an impeachment court must strictly follow constitutional and procedural rules, not political pressure.

Escudero addressed growing calls from civil society, law schools and fellow lawmakers urging the Senate to act on the articles of impeachment transmitted by the House of Representatives in February.

He reiterated that while he plans to convene the Senate as an impeachment court on June 11, all actions must proceed through motions and plenary votes per Senate rules.

"Everything is done by motion, by objection and by vote. That is how the Senate operates --...