Sotto dismisses contempt petition as a “publicity stunt"

Senate President Vicente Sotto III dismissed the indirect contempt case filed against him at the Supreme Court as a publicity stunt, sparking debates among senators over judicial overreach in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment ruling.

The petitioners, led by Atty. Ferdinand Topacio along with lawyers Manuelito Luna, Harold Respicio, Mary Catherine Binag, and Virgilio Garcia, petitioned the Supreme Court on Friday to cite Sotto for indirect contempt, arguing his statements post-ruling eroded public faith in the tribunal.

Topacio claimed Sotto's remarks, like suggesting first-year law students outshine justices, demeaned the court despite free speech protections.

He emphasized that the court was fulfilling its duties, making Sotto's actions inappropriate.

However, Sotto said the petition was baseless and a nuisance lawsuit.

“Simply expressing a disagreement or the mere act of criticizing the decision of the courts cannot constitute indirect contempt. As a lawyer, Atty. Topacio should know this. He has a long record of publicly criticizing court decisions that are unfavorable to his clients.”, he stated.

Furthermore, Sotto called January 29, when the SC ruled the impeachment unconstitutional due to a one-per-year limit, a sad day for scholars, noting that clear laws need no interpretation,as even beginners know.

He denied any hindrance to justice and affirmed his disagreement as protected speech under Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution.

Sotto intends to file a formal response when the Supreme Court requests it.