July 30, 2025 | Manila, Philippines
Akbayan Representative Perci Cendaña on Wednesday brushed off a petition filed by lawyers associated with the Duterte family seeking to cite him and political analyst Richard Heydarian for indirect contempt over remarks critical of the Supreme Court’s decision to junk the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a public statement, Cendaña criticized the move as a clear attempt to weaponize the legal system against administration critics.
“It’s ironic to be accused of contempt by backers of Vice President Duterte and Pastor Quiboloy,” he said in Filipino. “They should look in the mirror. These are the same people who’ve shown consistent disregard for the law—except when they can twist it to their advantage.”
The contempt petition, filed by attorneys Mark Kristopher Tolentino and Rolex Suplico, stems from Cendaña’s remarks referring to the Supreme Court as the “Supreme Coddler” following its dismissal of the fourth impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte. The Court ruled that the filing violated the one-year ban on filing repeated impeachment complaints.
The lawmakers behind the petition argued that Cendaña’s comment carries institutional weight and could undermine public trust in the judiciary.
Cendaña believes the legal action is retaliation for his call to hold Duterte accountable for the alleged misuse of ₱612 million in confidential funds, the same issue at the core of the four impeachment complaints filed between December 2024 and February 2025.
“If I am being harassed by allies of an alleged pedophile and mass murderer, I know I’m doing the right thing,” he added, alluding to serious accusations against individuals aligned with the Duterte camp.
Political analyst Richard Heydarian also faces scrutiny for his social media commentary highlighting that former President Rodrigo Duterte had appointed 13 of the 15 sitting Supreme Court justices by 2022. The petitioners claim this statement aimed to frame the Court as beholden to Duterte’s influence.
Meanwhile, another Duterte-aligned lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, filed a similar contempt charge against Presidential Anti-Poverty Commission chief Larry Gadon for his criticism of the Court’s ruling.
De Lima, Civil Society Voice Concern
Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila de Lima came to Cendaña’s defense, calling the legal move a troubling attempt to silence dissent.
“These efforts don’t promote justice—they serve to intimidate critics and distract from real issues of public accountability,” De Lima said.
She emphasized that both Cendaña and Heydarian’s statements fall well within the boundaries of free speech and democratic discourse, and she expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will not allow itself to be misused for political vendettas.
“This is not about defending the Court’s dignity—it’s about silencing those who ask uncomfortable questions. Public criticism is not contempt; it is conscience,” she added.
The case has sparked debate over the balance between upholding judicial integrity and safeguarding free expression in a politically charged climate.
