MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente Sotto III would reply soon to the Supreme Court's order directing the senator to reply on the indirect contempt case filed against.
"I will give my comment to the SC (Supreme Court) not to media. [It's] Not ethical to do so," Sotto said in a text message when sought for comment on the high court's directive.
Lawyers Manuelito Luna, Harold Respicio, Mary Catherine Binag, Ferdinand Topacio, and Virgilio Garcia cited Sotto's comment on the decision of the Supreme Court declaring void the articles of impeachment (AI) against Vice President Sara Duterte in 2025.
The Supreme Court en banc in January denied with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives, which sought to reverse the Court’s July 25, 2025 decision that declared the AI against Duterte unconstitutional.
Sotto said the Supreme Court ruling was a "clear encroachment" on the power of the legislative branch, which the Constitution tasks with initiating and trying impeachment cases.
Sotto said the Supreme Court ruling was a misinterpretation of the law that he said amends the Constitution "through Supreme Court overreach."
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal on Tuesday described the case filed against Sotto as a "publicity stunt in a nuisance suit."
He said the "alleged contemptuous words were never intended by Sotto to belittle or embarrass nor degrade the Court, but rather to defend the independence of the legislature."
"It was part of free speech and a legitimate exercise of his right to criticize public institutions," Macalintal said.
"The act does not in any way pose clear and present danger to the administration of justice. It was a fair commentary which is part of his duty to to the public to inform them," he added.
