(Photo courtesy of Sen. Sotto’s office)
Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Tuesday, October 13, welcomed the Supreme Court’s dismissal of an indirect contempt petition against him, stressing that criticizing a judicial ruling does not amount to disrespecting the judiciary.
The Supreme Court, in an en banc decision promulgated on October 7, upheld the constitutional protection of freedom of speech and expression, particularly on political matters and issues of public concern.
“I disagreed with one of its decisions. That does not mean I have lost respect for the Court,” Sotto said in a statement.
“I have always held it in high regard as an institution, and I return the respect it has shown me in its decision,” he added.
The contempt petition arose from Sotto’s criticism of the Supreme Court ruling that declared the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte during the previous Congress unconstitutional.
A group of lawyers, including Manuelito Luna and Ferdinand Topacio, filed the petition in February, alleging that Sotto’s statements undermined public confidence in the judiciary.
The petitioners questioned his remarks on alleged judicial overreach and his suggestion that constitutional amendments might be needed to address what he viewed as interference with legislative powers.
In May, the Supreme Court ordered Sotto to comment on the petition without necessarily giving it due course.
Sotto previously described the complaint as a nuisance suit, arguing that disagreement with a court ruling did not automatically constitute indirect contempt under Rule 71 of the Rules of Court.
Following the dismissal, the senator reiterated that the freedom to question government decisions serves as a safeguard against abuses of authority.
“Freedom of speech and expression is one of our strongest safeguards against tyranny,” he said.
“When people are free to question those in power, in any branch of government, power is kept in check,” he added.
The Supreme Court had also dismissed similar indirect contempt petitions against other public figures who criticized its ruling on Duterte’s impeachment.
While recognizing the strong constitutional protection afforded to political expression, the high tribunal emphasized that such freedom does not extend to statements intended to obstruct justice or deliberately spread falsehoods.
Sotto said the latest decision affirmed the right of Filipinos to express disagreement with government institutions while maintaining respect for their constitutional roles.
“This decision protects the right of every Filipino to speak freely on issues that affect the nation,” he said.
The senator vowed to continue expressing his views on public issues while respecting the country’s democratic institutions.
