Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor (left), former president Rodrigo Duterte (PPAB)

House Deputy Majority Leader Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor says it would be "an honor" to face former president Rodrigo Duterte on the opposite side of the courtroom during Vice President Sara Duterte impeachment trial.

"It's always an honor to work with or against a former president. Kahit sinong presidente sa Pilipinas mataas ang ating paggalang (I hold in high regard any former president of the Philippines)," Defensor told House reporters on Wednesday night, Feb. 5.

The soft-spoken solon was one of 11 congressmen tapped for the House prosecution team in the upcoming impeachment trial.

This will pit him against the tough-talking ex-president, whom Vice President Duterte had earlier fancied as a defense lawyer in case the impeachment rap pushes through.

On Wednesday, it did push through, after the House of Representatives directly transmitted to the Senate an impeachment complaint with 215 signatures--113 more than what was required.

"Since we hope that this will be a fair trial, we would be happy and honored to have former president Duterte on the other side of the courtroom. Walang problema (No problem)," Defensor said.

READ THIS:

https://mb.com.ph/2025/2/5/heavy-hitters-headline-house-prosecution-team-in-vp-sara-impeachment-trial

At any rate, the Iloilo lawmaker acknowledged that magnitude of the elder Duterte.

"Definitely mabigat ang sway niya kapag siya mismo ang naging abugado ng ating Vice President," the deputy majority leader said.

(Definitely, he will have a huge sway when he himself becomes the Vice President's counsel.)