Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte criticized Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III for minimizing the indirect contempt petition filed against him before the Supreme Court.
The petition, filed by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio and allies of the Duterte family, arose from Sotto’s remarks opposing the High Court’s ruling that declared the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte “unconstitutional.”
Sotto dismissed the case as a “nuisance suit” and a “mere publicity stunt.”
Duterte, however, sharply rebuked the Senate chief’s response.
“So kung ordinaryong blogger, (ang bilis lang i-contempt). Pero kung Senate President magpa-‘impeach the justices’ vibe, biglang ‘I simply expressed disagreement’? How convenient,” he said.
He emphasized the need to respect judicial independence.
“Separation of powers is not optional, it is not a buffet where you can simply choose what you like. The judiciary is not your committee hearing that you can grill just because you do not like the ruling,” Duterte added, stressing that free speech does not exempt one from accountability.
Sotto, meanwhile, maintained that he would comply with the Supreme Court if ordered to respond to the petition.