THE Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed separate indirect contempt petitions against political analyst Richard J. Heydarian, Party-list Rep. Percival “Perci” V. Cendaña and Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Lorenzo “Larry” G. Gadon over statements criticizing its impeachment ruling involving Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
In a decision released on Thursday, the court said the petitions failed to show that the respondents’ remarks posed a clear and imminent threat to the administration of justice.
The petitions stemmed from public statements made after the court declared unconstitutional the fourth impeachment complaint against Ms. Duterte in July 2025.
While the respondents criticized the ruling and the court, the tribunal said the remarks were made during public debate on a matter of national importance and did not obstruct judicial proceedings.
The court stressed that democratic discourse requires broad protection for public expression and cautioned against using contempt powers to suppress criticism of the judiciary. — Mark Joseph M. Sanchez
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