Lawyers seek SC citation for ruling critique

Several lawyers have asked the Philippine Supreme Court to cite Akbayan Representative Perci Cendaña, anti-poverty adviser Larry Gadon, and analyst Richard Heydarian in indirect contempt over their comments on the court's ruling that blocked Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio cited Gadon for calling the SC a 'tuta (lapdog)' of the Dutertes during an interview criticizing the High Court’s decision to declare the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte as unconstitutional and null and void.

Atty. Mark Tolentino and Rolex Suplico filed similar petitions against Heydarian and Cendaña, noting Heydarian's Facebook post suggesting that Duterte appointed a majority of the justices and framing them as beholden to him.

Gadon challenged Topacio to a one-on-one singing contest for charity while dismissing the petition as a publicity stunt.

Heydarian stated he has yet to read the petition against him, maintaining full confidence in the court's integrity despite acknowledging that many justices were appointed by Duterte.

Cendaña defended his statement, saying moves to cite him in contempt are a Duterte 'modus operandi' aimed at silencing legitimate criticisms and urged the Supreme Court to stand by the Constitution.