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Lawyers file indirect contempt petition vs Senate President Tito Sotto

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — A group of lawyers has filed a verified petition for indirect contempt against Senate President Tito Sotto before the Supreme Court over his statements against the recent decision of the court on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.Lawyers Ferdinand Topacio, Manuelito Luna and Harold Respicio Sotto&#x27;s public statements allegedlycrossed the boundaries of legitimate commentary and tended to undermine faith in the Supreme Court.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/30/sotto-ready-to-support-charter-change-to-clarify-impeachment-rules-1604">&#x27;Nabulabog yung Konstitusyon&#x27;: Sotto ready to support cha-cha to clarify impeachment rules</a></div>Topacio cited Sotto&#x27;s comments comparing Supreme Court magistrates to first-year students, alleging the court had amended the Constitution with its ruling and that decision writer Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen didn&#x27;t understand the rules were unacceptable.“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,” Topacio said. (For us, these statements should not come from the leader of the upper chamber of Congress)Sotto&#x27;s statements were in reaction to the January 29, 2026 decision of the Supreme Court upholding its decision declaring the articles of impeachment against Duterte as unconstitutional and effectively barring the impeachment trial at the Senate. Sotto said the decision made impeachment an &quot;impossible dream&quot; and had intruded on Congress&#x27; power to initiate and try impeachment cases.Topacio stressed that their petition does not intend to silence Sotto.He also noted that the Supreme Court only did its job and exercised judicial review.Topacio said that even former US Vice President Al Gore respected the adverse decision of their Supreme Court when he lost in the 2000 presidential election.“The Supreme Court, being one of the three great departments of the government, is entitled to respect from the other departments,” Topacio also said.Former congressman Jing Paras joined the petitioners as a supporter, saying Sotto “is encouraging people not to believe in the Supreme Court.”Topacio also said he intends to file an ethics complaint against Sotto at the Senate.In response, Sotto said he will wait for the copy from the Court before responding to Topacio&#x27;s case.However, he cited that there were also other personalities who agreed with his sentiment.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/9/sara-duterte-hit-with-third-impeachment-complaint-1237">Sara Duterte hit with third impeachment complaint</a></div>&quot;But what about those who are aligned with my opinion such as:  Retired SC Justice Adolf Azcuna, Fr. Ranhilio Aquino, UP College of Law Assoc Dean Paolo Yamese, Atty. Wilfredo Garrido, Law Dean Mel Sta Maria, Manolo Quezon III and others that pointed out the factual errors of the decision and the possibility of a judicial legislation?&quot; he said. &quot;Ako lang ba?&quot;

A group of lawyers filed a verified petition for indirect contempt against Senate President Tito Sotto before the Supreme Court over his statements against the recent decision of the court on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

A group of lawyers filed a verified petition for indirect contempt against Senate President Tito Sotto before the Supreme Court over his statements against the recent decision of the court on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Lawyers file indirect contempt petition vs Senate President Sotto

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Lawyers file indirect contempt petition vs Senate President Sotto

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 13, 2026 05:14 PM PHT

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Updated February 13, 2026 06:09 PM PHT

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Tito Sotto

Sara Duterte

Impeachment

Supreme Court

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