Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Tuesday said disagreeing with a Supreme Court decision should not be mistaken for disrespect toward the judiciary, following the dismissal of an indirect contempt petition filed against him over his criticism of a ruling involving Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment.

In the decision promulgated by the SC en banc on Oct. 7, the court reaffirmed that freedom of speech and expression enjoys the highest constitutional protection, including speeches on political issues.

In a statement, Sotto thanked the high tribunal for dismissing the petition and maintained that freedom of expression allows Filipinos to question government institutions without undermining their authority.

“I disagreed with one of its decisions. That does not mean I have lost respect for the Court,” Sotto said.

“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 petition stemmed from Sotto’s public criticism of the Supreme Court’s ruling that declared the impeachment complaint against Duterte during the previous Congress unconstitutional.

Filed in February by a group of lawyers, including Manuelito Luna and Ferdinand Topacio, the petition accused Sotto of making statements that allegedly undermined public confidence in the judiciary.

The petitioners cited his remarks criticizing what he considered judicial overreach and his suggestion that constitutional amendments might be necessary to address the perceived encroachment on legislative powers.

In May, the Supreme Court directed Sotto to respond to the petition without necessarily giving it due course.

Sotto earlier dismissed the complaint as a nuisance suit, maintaining that criticizing a judicial decision did not automatically constitute indirect contempt under Rule 71 of the Rules of Court.

With the petition now dismissed, Sotto emphasized the broader significance of protecting political expression, describing the freedom to question those in authority as an essential safeguard against abuses of power.

“Freedom of speech and expression is one of our strongest safeguards against tyranny,” he said.

He stressed that the right to criticize government actions applies equally to the executive, legislative and judicial branches, allowing citizens to hold public officials accountable.

“When people are free to question those in power, in any branch of government, power is kept in check,” he said.

In a separate decision made public in July, the Supreme Court similarly dismissed indirect contempt petitions against other public figures who had criticized its Duterte impeachment ruling.

The high tribunal emphasized that political speech on matters of public concern enjoys strong constitutional protection, although it also cautioned against statements intended to obstruct justice or spread deliberate falsehoods.

Sotto said the dismissal reinforced his commitment to expressing his views while maintaining respect for the country’s democratic institutions.

“This decision protects the right of every Filipino to speak freely on issues that affect the nation,” he said.

He added that he would continue speaking freely while respecting the institutions of government. (PNA)