Manila, Feb. 6 -- The House of Representatives will respect the Senate's decision on when to convene as an impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, a lawmaker said Thursday.

"We will respect the institution of the Senate, how they will interpret 'forthwith,' gaano kaaga nila aktuhan ito (how soon they will act on this), we will respect that," Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor said in a press conference.

"Pero sana matuloy lang ang paglilitis na ito (But hopefully, this trial proceeds) because this is the perfect opportunity for all parties, especially the Vice President," he added.

One of the designated prosecutors in Duterte's impeachment trial, Defensor said the impeachment process is sui generis, or a "...