MANILA, Philippines — February 13, 2026. A group of lawyers led by Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Atty. Manuelito Luna, and Atty. Harold Respicio has filed a verified petition for indirect contempt against Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III before the Supreme Court. 

The petition stems from Sotto’s public remarks criticizing the Court’s recent ruling on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

According to the petitioners, Sotto’s statements went beyond the bounds of legitimate commentary and allegedly undermined public trust in the judiciary.

“Para po sa amin ay ‘yun pong public statements ni SP Sotto, all due respect to him, ay lumalampas na po sa legitimate commentary at ito po ay nagta-transgress na into the territory of statements that tend to destroy the credibility, undermine the faith of the people in the SC,” Topacio said.

The lawyers argued that Sotto’s remarks, including his claim that “a first-year law student was more knowledgeable than the SC justices,” were not only disrespectful but also damaging to the institution’s integrity. 

They stressed that such statements could erode confidence in the Supreme Court’s decisions and weaken the rule of law.

The petition is now pending before the Supreme Court, which will determine whether Sotto’s comments constitute indirect contempt. This development adds another layer of tension to the ongoing political and legal debates surrounding the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte.