Supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday filed a petition before the Supreme Court of the Philippines seeking to cite Senate President Tito Sotto for indirect contempt.
The petitioners — lawyers Ferdinand Topacio, Manuelito Luna, and Harold Respicio — argued that Sotto’s public remarks criticizing the Court’s ruling voiding Duterte’s impeachment case undermined judicial authority.
They specifically cited Sotto’s claim that the 1987 Constitution had been “amended unconstitutionally” through what he described as judicial overreach, saying such statements went beyond fair commentary and could erode public trust in the judiciary.
Topacio said:
“Para po sa amin ay yun pong public statements ni SP Sotto, (with) all due respect to him, ay lumalampas na po sa legitimate commentary at ito po ay nag ta-transgress na into the territory of statements that tend to… destroy the credibility, undermine the faith of the people in the SC.”
He added:
“Para sa amin po hindi na po ito tama lalong lalo na isang tao na siya po ang pinuno ng upper chamber ng ating Kongreso.”
Sotto made the remarks following the Supreme Court’s January 29 decision affirming its earlier ruling that the impeachment complaint against Duterte violated the Constitution.
The petitioners maintained that public officials must exercise restraint when commenting on judicial decisions to safeguard institutional respect and preserve public confidence in the courts.