SC junks contempt case vs. Sotto: ‘Critical speech is protected’

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed the indirect contempt case filed against Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, saying even “provocative, harsh, or critical statements are still protected speech.” Sotto questioned the SC’s ruling on the 2025 impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the author of the decision was unfamiliar with