MANILA — A group of lawyers and a private citizen have petitioned the Supreme Court to hold Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III in indirect contempt over his remarks on the high court following its ruling that Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment was unconstitutional.

In a report, it said that the 15-page petition, was submitted by lawyers Manuelito Delos Reyes Luna, Harold Respicio, Ferdinand Topacio, Virgilio Garcia, and social media personality Mary Catherine Diaz Binag, who are known supporters of the Dutertes.

Indirect contempt involves actions outside the court that interfere with proceedings, obstruct justice, or defy court orders. The petitioners said Sotto’s statements are “demeaning,” “degrading” and “disrespectful” to the Supreme Court’s integrity and exceed the bounds of legitimate commentary.

“Para po sa amin, ‘yung sinasabi ni Senate President Sotto ay lumalagpas na po sa legitimate commentary,” Topacio told reporters.

Sotto had earlier expressed disappointment over the high court’s decision, describing it as a “judicial overreach” and an “encroachment” on Congress’s power to handle impeachment cases. He also suggested lawmakers consider amending the Constitution, arguing the court appeared to impose new rules on impeachment after revising its reasoning in nullifying Duterte’s impeachment following the House’s motion for reconsideration.

“Kung ang Supreme Court pwedeng galawin ang Constitution, aba’y dapat galawin na namin sapagka’t kami ang empowered to do so,” Sotto said on January 30.

The petitioners argued that Sotto’s comments implied the Supreme Court’s judicial review power could be curtailed through constitutional amendment and that his assertion that the Court might have a “different agenda” “demeans the Court” by suggesting justices are motivated by hidden political ends.

Sotto, however, did not explicitly call for changes to the high court’s judicial review powers or its composition. Most of his comments focused on impeachment rules, including the possible creation of a separate impeachment court, and did not call for removing sitting justices.

If the Supreme Court gives due course to the petition and finds Sotto in indirect contempt, he could face a fine of up to P30,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Topacio said they are also preparing an ethics complaint against Sotto for his statements.

Sotto has yet to comment on the petition.