Sotto asked to comment on contempt petition

THE Supreme Court has ordered Senate President Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III to comment on an indirect contempt petition concerning his remarks following the 2025 decision that nullified the 2024 impeachment proceedings against Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

“The Resolution was sent to the respondent on May 4, 2026,” Supreme Court Spokesperson Camille L. Ting told reporters via a Viber group chat, noting that the Senate leader must answer by May 14 following a non-extendible 10-day period.

Petitioners Manuelito Delos Reyes Luna and Ferdinand S. Topacio, among others, argue that the senator’s public opposition, including his televised claim that the ruling “practically amends the Philippine Constitution,” served to degrade the administration of justice.

“Specifically assailed in this Petition is Senate President Sotto’s contemptuous conduct — making highly offensive and outrageous public remarks against the Supreme Court regarding the aforementioned cases, during interviews with the media and on his social media accounts,” the petitioners stated in their filing dated Feb. 12.

The lawsuit also highlights a text message where the senator allegedly described the 2025 ruling, which declared the articles of impeachment void ab initio, as a “clear encroachment” on legislative powers.

In its resolution, the high tribunal clarified that the current order for a comment does not necessarily indicate that the petition has been given due course. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking